With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan 2025, the Islamic Ideological Council of Austria officially announced the commencement of fasting across the country on Saturday, March 1, 2025. This announcement has spurred excitement within the local Muslim community, with mosques and religious institutions gearing up for this time of devotion and worship.
The first Taraweeh prayer, which holds special significance during Ramadan, is scheduled for the evening prior, on February 28, 2025. Many worshippers are expected to gather at mosques throughout Austria, participating enthusiastically in this communal prayer.
Preparations within the mosques have been extensive, with key Islamic centers across Vienna finalizing their schedules for Ramadan 2025. Among these are the Central Islamic Center Vienna, Bilal Mosque, Minhaj-ul-Quran Center, and the Idara Al-Mustafa Center. These mosques will offer daily Taraweeh prayers, Suhoor before dawn, and Iftar to break the fast, catering to the needs of worshippers during this month of reflection and community.
Similarly, the Holy month of Ramadan 2025 will be welcomed by Muslims across Australia beginning from the evening of March 1, marking the start of fasting on Sunday, March 2. This year, Ramadan arrives at a time of increased polarization within communities, prompting the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to host interfaith gatherings to encourage unity. An Iftar dinner organized for March 16, 2025, at Adelaide's largest mosque, Mahmood Mosque, highlights this effort. Imam Kamran Tahir emphasizes this sentiment, stating, “We warmly invite everyone to join us for our annual Iftar dinner at Adelaide's largest mosque. Our motto, 'Love for all, hatred for none,' reflects our commitment to building relationships of trust, friendship, and respect across communities.”
This synchronization of the start of Ramadan across many countries is particularly notable this year; diverse regions including the United States, Australia, the UK, and various nations throughout the Middle East are expected to begin the month simultaneously, due to celestial alignment allowing many to observe the crescent moon on the same night. This unprecedented occurrence fosters collective spirit and connection within the Muslim community globally.
The significance of Ramadan is deeply rooted within Islamic tradition, distinguished as the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It’s traditionally when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During this month, Muslims fast—refraining from food and drink from dawn until dusk. This observance fosters not only self-discipline and spirituality but also brings attention to the plight of the less fortunate. An ANIC representative remarked, “It’s so much more than food; food is such a small aspect of it.”
For many, Ramadan serves as a time of deep reflection and community. Throughout the month, Muslims are encouraged to reevaluate their lives and priorities, seeking forgiveness and drawing closer to Allah. The daily routine encompasses five prayers along with Taraweeh, which are additional prayers performed at night, enriching the spirit of devotion among worshippers.
The culmination of Ramadan leads to Eid al-Fitr, a celebratory festival marking the end of fasting, where families and communities come together to celebrate and share meals. For 2025, Eid al-Fitr is anticipated to occur on March 31, allowing many to break their fast and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
With the commencement of Ramadan on March 1, 2025, and reactions from various mosque administrations and community leaders echoing similar sentiments of unity and devotion, this holy month stands to create not only personal reflections but also communal harmony and respect across the spectrum of diverse faiths.
Stay tuned for updates on the developed prayer schedules and events surrounding Ramadan 2025, as the anticipation grows for this blessed month to bring peace and prosperity to all.