Ramadan is a highly anticipated time for Muslims each year, but did you know that under certain conditions, Ramadan can occur twice within a single Gregorian year? This rare phenomenon typically happens once every 33 years.
The observance of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr follows the lunar-based Islamic calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar that is based on the solar cycle. As a result, significant Islamic dates shift every year when viewed through the lens of the Gregorian calendar.
While the Islamic calendar also consists of 12 months, it has only 354 or 355 days—compared to the Gregorian calendar's 365 days (or 366 in a leap year). This 10- to 11-day difference causes Ramadan to come earlier each year, eventually leading to two occurrences within the same Gregorian year.
So, when will this phenomenon happen again?
List of Years with Two Ramadans
In 2030, Muslims are expected to experience this rare occurrence again, with the first Ramadan beginning on January 5 and the second on December 26. This results in a total of 36 fasting days—30 days in the year 1451 AH and 6 days in 1452 AH.
Although uncommon, this phenomenon is not new. A similar event occurred between 1997 and 2000, as shown in the following list:
- 1997: Ramadan 1417 AH & 1418 AH
- 1998: Ramadan 1418 AH & 1419 AH
- 1999: Ramadan 1419 AH & 1420 AH
- 2000: Ramadan 1420 AH & 1421 AH
The occurrence in 2000 was particularly interesting because, in addition to two Ramadans, there were also two Eid al-Fitr celebrations—on January 8 and December 27.
Looking ahead, this phenomenon will happen again in the following consecutive years:
- 2030: Ramadan 1451 AH & 1452 AH
- 2031: Ramadan 1452 AH & 1453 AH
- 2032: Ramadan 1453 AH & 1454 AH
- 2033: Ramadan 1454 AH & 1455 AH
Not only will there be two Ramadans, but in 2033, two Eid al-Fitr celebrations are also expected—on January 3 and December 23.
This rare occurrence of two Ramadans in a single Gregorian year is projected to happen again in 2063, as the Hijri calendar continues to shift due to its shorter cycle compared to the Gregorian calendar.
