Rabat – Millions of Muslims in the United Kingdom are gearing up for Ramadan – but experts can’t agree on when it will begin. The holy month, which calls for fasting from dawn to dusk, will start when the first sliver of the new moon is spotted. But will it be seen in the UK?  

Moon-watchers will scan the skies on Friday, February 28, hoping to glimpse the faint crescent. If they do, Ramadan will begin on Saturday, March 1. If not, it will start a day later, on Sunday, March 2.  

Some experts say the moon simply won’t be visible in the UK by any means. But local government astronomers insist that with a telescope, it might just be possible.  

The debate has left many unsure –but one thing’s certain: as soon as Ramadan is confirmed, Muslim communities across the UK will swing into action.  

According to national census figures from 2021, Islam is the second largest religion in the UK, following Christianity. Although only roughly 6.5% of the population identifies as Muslim, this number is predicted to rise in the coming years. 

As with all countries with Muslims around the world, the holy month means packed mosques, late-night feasts, and a surge in halal food sales.  

In places like London’s Tower Hamlets, Birmingham’s Small Heath, and Manchester’s Curry Mile, the spiritual buzz is already building. Shoppers are loading up carts with dates, milk, and spicy curries, while mosques roll out carpets to welcome thousands for Taraweeh prayers.  

For Britain’s Muslims, it’s also about coming together for food, charity, and celebration.