Ramadan 2030 Countdown
Two Ramadans in one year: countdown to the first, Ramadan 1451 AH
Counting down to sunset in Makkah on Friday 4 January 2030.
There are 1,159 days until the first Ramadan of 2030. 2030 is a rare year with two Ramadans. Ramadan 1451 AH is expected to begin at sunset on Friday 4 January 2030 (first fast Saturday 5 January), and Ramadan 1452 AH is expected to begin at sunset on Wednesday 25 December 2030 (first fast Thursday 26 December).
The Two Ramadans of 2030 at a Glance
| First Ramadan of 2030 | Second Ramadan of 2030 | |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic year | 1451 AH | 1452 AH |
| Begins (first Taraweeh) | Evening of Friday 4 January 2030 | Evening of Wednesday 25 December 2030 |
| First fast | Saturday 5 January 2030 | Thursday 26 December 2030 |
| Expected length | 30 days | 29 days |
| Eid ul Fitr | Monday 4 February 2030 | Friday 24 January 2031 |
Why Are There Two Ramadans in 2030?
The Islamic calendar follows the moon, and 12 lunar months add up to about 354 days. The solar year has 365 days, so Ramadan arrives about 11 days earlier every year. In 2030 Ramadan begins so early in January that, after 354 days, the next Ramadan arrives before the year has ended. The second Ramadan of 2030 starts on 26 December and finishes in January 2031, so only its first six fasts fall in 2030.
When Did This Happen Before, and When Will It Happen Again?
A year with two Ramadans comes round roughly every 33 years. The last one was 1997, when Ramadan began in January and again on 31 December. After 2030, the next year with two Ramadans is expected around 2063. For most people, 2030 will be the only time in their adult life that they see it.
Ramadan 2030 Date by Country
| Country | First Ramadan: first fast | Second Ramadan: first fast |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait | Saturday 5 January 2030 | Thursday 26 December 2030 |
| Somalia and Egypt | Saturday 5 January 2030 | Thursday 26 December 2030 |
| Iraq | 5 or 6 January 2030 | 26 or 27 December 2030 |
| Pakistan | Sunday 6 January 2030 (possibly Saturday) | Friday 27 December 2030 (possibly Thursday) |
| India and Bangladesh | Sunday 6 January 2030 | Friday 27 December 2030 |
| UK, USA and Canada | Saturday 5 January 2030 | Thursday 26 December 2030 |
Fasting Hours in Both Ramadans of 2030
Both Ramadans fall in deep winter, so fasts are among the shortest of the whole 33 year cycle. Here is the expected length of the first fast of each:
| City | First fast, 5 January 2030 | First fast, 26 December 2030 |
|---|---|---|
| London | 10h 05m | 9h 55m |
| New York | 10h 44m | 10h 38m |
| Karachi | 12h 00m | 11h 57m |
| Lahore | 11h 37m | 11h 33m |
| Delhi | 11h 48m | 11h 44m |
| Dubai | 11h 59m | 11h 56m |
| Riyadh | 12h 03m | 12h 00m |
| Baghdad | 11h 31m | 11h 26m |
| Mogadishu | 13h 15m | 13h 15m |
| Cairo | 11h 50m | 11h 46m |
Note: times are calculated for each city (Fajr at the angle most used locally and sunset for Iftar) and are approximate. Always follow your local masjid timetable, and add a few minutes of caution for Sehri.
What Two Ramadans Mean in Practice
- Zakat: zakat is due once every lunar year (hawl), so it is not paid twice just because two Ramadans fall in one solar year.
- Eid ul Fitr: only one Eid ul Fitr falls in 2030 (4 February). The Eid of the second Ramadan is in January 2031.
- Missed fasts: anyone with missed fasts from the January Ramadan has until the December Ramadan to make them up, a shorter gap than usual.
- Christmas and Ramadan: the second Ramadan is expected to begin the day after Christmas Day 2030, so families in the UK, Europe and America will have Ramadan over the New Year holidays.
Ramadan Countdown for Other Years
Ramadan 2027 · Ramadan 2028 · Ramadan 2029 · Ramadan 2030
Ramadan 2030: Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be two Ramadans in 2030?
Yes. Ramadan 1451 AH is expected to begin on 4 January 2030 and Ramadan 1452 AH on 25 December 2030, so two Ramadans start in the same calendar year.
When does Ramadan 2030 start?
The first Ramadan of 2030 is expected to begin at sunset on Friday 4 January 2030, with the first fast on Saturday 5 January. The second begins at sunset on Wednesday 25 December 2030.
Were there two Ramadans in 1997?
Yes. In 1997 Ramadan began in January and again at the very end of December, the last time this happened before 2030.
When is Ramadan 2030 in Pakistan?
Pakistan usually starts one day after Saudi Arabia, so the first fasts are most likely on Sunday 6 January 2030 and Friday 27 December 2030.
How often are there two Ramadans in one year?
About once every 33 years. After 2030, the next year with two Ramadans is expected around 2063.
