Why Ramadan and Eid Come 11 Days Earlier Every Year

If you remember Ramadan in the heat of summer, you’ve seen the Islamic calendar at work. Its months follow the moon, not the sun, so each year the holidays arrive about 11 days earlier than the year before.

A year of 354 days

Each Islamic month starts with the new crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. Twelve lunar months add up to about 354 days, around 11 days shorter than the 365-day solar year. Unlike some other lunar calendars, the Islamic calendar never adds an extra month to catch up, so its dates drift through every season.

A full cycle every 33 years

Because of that 11-day drift, Ramadan moves all the way around the solar year in about 33 years. Someone who fasts for most of their life will fast in every season, more than once.

Where Ramadan falls next

These are expected dates for Pakistan, usually one day after Saudi Arabia. The start is confirmed by moon sighting. You can check today’s date in the Islamic calendar on our Hijri date page.