In the next six years, or to be precise in 2030, Muslims throughout the world will celebrate the month of fasting twice a year in the Gregorian calendar. How come?
This year, the month of Ramadan falls in March. However, in 2030, Ramadan will fall at the beginning of the year. This is possible because there is a difference in the number of dates between the Gregorian and Hijri calendars.
Just like the Gregorian calendar, the Hijri calendar has 12 months consisting of Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awal, Rabiul Akhir, Jumadil Awal, Jumadil Akhir, Rajab, Syaban, Ramadhan, Syawal, Dzulkaidah and Dzulhijah.
Both must have 12 months in a year, the Gregorian calendar is standard with 365 days, while the Hijri calendar has 355 days. This means that there is a difference of 10 days or 11 days (compared to leap years) in a year.
This difference is what causes this fasting month to always be more advanced than previous years. If that continues, then Ramadan comes twice a year.
As quoted from Mashable, Saturday (23/3/2024) Ramadan will take place twice a year in 2030. This is because the first Ramadan falls at the beginning of the year and the second at the end of the Christian year.
Based on the Hijri calendar 1451-1452, the first Ramadan will come on January 5 2030, and the second Ramadan will come on December 26 2030.
Interestingly, not only Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is also present twice a year. However, this incident will not occur in 2030, but three years later or 2033.
After investigating, the month of fasting twice a year in the Gregorian calendar is not the first. In 2000, a similar event took place, where Ramadan also occurred at the beginning and end of the Christian year, as in 2023.