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Doha – The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Qatari Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has announced that Saturday, March 1, will mark the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Qatar.
The committee made the announcement after sunset prayers today following the sighting of the crescent moon in the country.
Prior to the announcement, the committee had called on all Muslims in Qatar to investigate the sighting of the crescent and to provide their testimony at the Ministry headquarters in Dafna.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and many other countries in the region have also announced March 1 as the beginning of the holy month, creating a unified start to Ramadan across much of the Arab world.
As Qatar enters Ramadan, the country’s landscape transforms as it does every year with preparations for the holy month.
Supermarkets, malls, and retail outlets commence their traditional Ramadan promotions to meet the increasing demand for consumer goods.
Leading retailers unveil special offers on household essentials and various Ramadan products as they do annually.
The Qatari General Department of Endowments sets up Ramadan tents and Iftar distribution points throughout the country, expanding their facilities year after year.
The department distributes Iftar meals to fasting individuals at various locations across Qatar, continuing this long-standing tradition of generosity during the holy month.
Ramadan in Qatar is characterized by a rich blend of traditional practices. The daily fast begins at sunrise after Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and ends at sunset, signaled by the firing of the Ramadan cannon.
Broadcast live on Qatar TV, this tradition can be experienced at locations such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, and Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Grand Mosque.
After fasting, families gather for Iftar (fast-breaking meal) and later for Ghabga, a more celebratory night meal.
Traditional Qatari Ramadan tables typically include Harees (mashed meat with wheat, olive oil, and cinnamon), Thareed (crispy flatbread with lamb or chicken soup), and Luqaimat (fried dough covered in sugar syrup, often flavored with rose water).
On the 14th day of Ramadan, Qatar celebrates Garangao, a distinctive Gulf tradition where children receive bags filled with nuts, sweets, and candies as they sing traditional songs throughout neighborhoods.
The city comes alive after Iftar, with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues reopening after being mostly closed during daylight hours. Special Taraweeh prayers are held in mosques after the Isha prayer, with the aim of completing the entire Quran by the end of the month.
With more than 2,000 mosques and a predominantly Muslim population, Qatar embraces Ramadan with profound reverence.
The month represents a period when Muslims throughout the country engage in the shared practices of fasting, charity, and increased devotion.
