The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, has announced that Saturday, 1st March 2025, will mark the first day of Ramadan, following the official moon sighting at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

However, this year, the holy month begins amid intensified Israeli occupation measures, bringing further hardship to Palestinians across the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza.

Under Israeli occupation, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem face daily military raids, mass arrests, home demolitions, and increasing settler violence, forcing many families from their homes. Since October 2023, Israeli occupation forces have detained more than 12,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of children and women, in what human rights groups describe as an escalating campaign of oppression.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the 17-year blockade continues to strangle daily life, with critical shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. The siege has driven poverty and unemployment rates to unprecedented levels, leaving thousands struggling for survival.

Despite the worsening conditions, Palestinians welcome Ramadan with resilience and unwavering faith. The holy month, a time of spiritual reflection, unity, and perseverance, provides a source of strength as they endure the daily struggles of occupation. As families gather for prayers and iftar, they remain steadfast in their hope for justice, dignity, and freedom.