Muslims worldwide are preparing to observe Ramadan 2025, a sacred period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The Islamic month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, which is expected to be observed on February 28, 2025, in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the US. If confirmed, fasting will commence on March 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the moon sighting is anticipated on March 1, meaning Ramadan could begin on March 2 or March 3, depending on visibility.

Projected Sehri and Iftar timings in major Indian cities for March 1, 2025

These timings are subject to change, so it is advisable to confirm with local mosques for precise timings.

Ramadan: A time for spiritual reflection and unity

Ramadan holds deep significance for Muslims, fostering self-discipline, patience, and gratitude. It also strengthens community bonds through special prayers, charitable acts, and shared meals. In India, Ramadan is marked by vibrant cultural traditions, including diverse regional cuisines and communal gatherings, promoting a spirit of unity and spiritual renewal.

As the month approaches, families begin preparations for Sehri and Iftar meals, often including traditional delicacies such as dates, kebabs, biryanis, and sweets like phirni and sheer kurma.

Muslims worldwide look forward to this blessed period of fasting and worship, embracing the teachings of compassion and generosity that define Ramadan.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday instructed the Delhi Police to take stringent action against networks facilitating the entry and stay of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants in India, emphasizing that the issue is critical to national security.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the law-and-order situation in the national capital, Shah directed the police to dismantle interstate gangs and drug networks operating in Delhi. He stressed the need for a “top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approach” in tackling narcotics cases and ensuring the complete eradication of such networks.

“Strict action should be taken against the entire network that helps Bangladeshi and Rohingya intruders enter the country, obtain fake documents, and settle here. This issue is directly linked to national security and must be dealt with firmly. Illegal immigrants should be identified and deported,” Shah said during the meeting.

The Home Minister also called for accountability among police stations and sub-divisions with consistently poor performance, urging the Delhi Police to prioritize the elimination of interstate gangs and ensure a safer environment for citizens.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi’s Home Minister Ashish Sood, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and other senior officials. Shah’s directives underscore the government’s commitment to strengthening internal security and addressing challenges posed by illegal immigration and organized crime.

After attending an important meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Gupta spoke to the press, stating that extensive discussions took place regarding necessary improvements. “Preliminary conversations focused on women’s safety in Delhi, and we will soon begin developing policies to address this,” she remarked.

Gupta also mentioned that they discussed solutions for challenges related to persons with disabilities (PWD), national security, and international gangs, all of which pose significant issues for Delhi’s security framework.

In a troubling incident at the Government Holkar Science College in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, four student leaders have been suspended for allegedly holding over 150 staff members hostage. This situation arose after the college administration denied the students permission to host a Holi celebration event, dubbed ‘Holkar Ka Holi Fest,’ which was scheduled for March 7. The planned festivities included DJ performances and a “rain dance” and required an entry fee of ₹150, with backing from a civil services examination.

Despite the administration’s refusal, the students reportedly went ahead and posted promotional material for the event on campus on February 23. Following the unauthorized announcement, the college principal issued directives to remove the posters, which initiated a protest by the students against the removal. The situation escalated dramatically on February 24 when the entrance door of Yashwant Hall was barricaded and the power supply was cut off during a meeting that included approximately 150 attendees, causing panic and chaos as students screamed and heckled.

Principal Anamika Jain revealed that an investigation conducted by the district administration found the four students guilty of “gross indiscipline.” The investigation deemed their actions serious enough to warrant strict disciplinary measures. Consequently, the students were expelled from the college and instructed to obtain their transfer certificates.

Founded in 1891 by the Holkar dynasty of Indore, the college has a long-standing educational legacy. The district administration has initiated a further investigation into the incident to understand the full circumstances surrounding this alarming event. This incident underscores the growing tensions between student bodies and college administrations regarding event management and student rights within educational institutions.