Muslims around the world eagerly await the month of Ramadan, which occurs once a year. But have you ever considered that these wonderful days could come twice in a single year? When does this happen? The cycle of Ramadan changes with the seasons, as its timing rotates every 33 lunar years, which explains why we fast in winter one year, then fall, summer, and spring in others, according to the National Institute for Astronomical Research.
It is well-known that the lunar year is shorter than the Gregorian year, with the number of days in a Gregorian year exceeding that of a lunar year by 11 days. Therefore, Ramadan shifts each year by about 10 to 11 days closer to the beginning of the Gregorian year. For example, Ramadan in 2020 began on Friday, April 24, while in 2021, it started on Tuesday, April 13, with an 11-day difference.
When will Ramadan occur twice in one year? According to the Gregorian calendar and astronomical calculations, the year 2030 will witness a rare event, as revealed by Ibrahim Al-Jroan, a member of the Arab Union for Space Sciences, to the Emirati website "24." We will experience Ramadan twice. Al-Jroan mentioned that Ramadan will start at the beginning of 2030, specifically on January 5, coinciding with the lunar year 1451. Then the same lunar month, Ramadan, will occur again in the same Gregorian year, 2030, but on December 26, aligning with the lunar year 1452.
In 2030, Muslims are expected to fast for a total of 36 days, with 30 days at the beginning of the Gregorian year and 6 days at the end.
When will Ramadan again occur twice in one Gregorian year? As mentioned, the cycle of Ramadan is every 33 years, so it is anticipated that Ramadan will occur twice in one Gregorian year again by 2063.
