When will two Ramadans and two Eids occur in a single year?

Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr once each year, but approximately every 32 to 33 years, a rare occurrence happens when both the holy month and the festival fall twice within the same Gregorian year.

Muslims around the world are preparing for the arrival of Ramadan, which is now less than a month and a half away. Traditionally, Ramadan occurs once a year, followed by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. However, due to differences between the Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar, this unique pattern shifts gradually over time.

Experts say that in 2030, Muslims will witness Ramadan twice within the same Gregorian year, while in 2033, Eid al-Fitr will also be celebrated twice. The main reason is that a Gregorian year consists of 365 days, or 366 in a leap year, whereas the Islamic lunar year has only 354 or 355 days. This roughly 10 to 11-day difference causes Ramadan and Eid to move forward each year, eventually resulting in a full-year shift every 32 to 33 years.

Astronomers estimate that the first Ramadan in 2030 will likely begin on January 5, and the second may start around December 26. The January fast will last 29 or 30 days, while the December fast will include about six days, totaling 35 to 36 fasts that year. Similarly, Eid al-Fitr in 2033 is expected to be celebrated first on January 2 or 3 and again on December 23 or 24.

For this year, Ramadan is expected to begin around February 17 or 18, although the final date will be confirmed by local Ruet-e-Hilal Committees. While astronomical calculations provide estimates, many Islamic countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, rely on human moon sightings to determine the official start of Ramadan, whereas some nations also consider scientific methods.