Fasting month of Ramadan to start on March 2, zakat fitrah rates adjusted

Muslims will begin fasting on March 2 for the holy month of Ramadan, during which they will pay the compulsory zakat fitrah or tithe at a rate set at $5 or $7.90 for each person.

Mufti of Singapore Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, in a statement on Feb 28, said the crescent moon that signals the start of Ramadan is unlikely to be spotted in Singapore's skies when the sun sets on Feb 28.

This means March 1 marks the 30th day and the completion of the month of Syaaban, he added.

Astronomical calculations put the moon at an angular distance of 5.1 degrees with an altitude of 4.3 degrees at sunset on the evening of Feb 28, he said.

Dr Nazirudin added that the calculations do not meet the criteria of the imkanur rukyah astronomy calculation method, agreed to by members of the Unofficial Meeting of Religious Affairs Ministers of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

"I am pleased to announce that the first day of fasting for the month of Ramadan falls on the day after tomorrow, Sunday, March 2," he said.

Imkanur rukyah, which means the possibility of sighting, refers to the Islamic astronomical calculation method used to determine the visibility of the new crescent moon.

The method relies on more than 700 data points of crescent moon sightings from around the world.

Dr Nazirudin said: "I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all Muslims in Singapore for a blessed Ramadan.

"May we take this opportunity to increase our good deeds during this blessed month, and may God accept our acts of worship and bestow His mercy and forgiveness upon the Muslim community in Singapore."

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Muslim calendar, during which Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn to dusk.

As for the zakat fitrah, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) on Feb 28 said the rates are decided by its fitrah committee based on the country's staple food, rice.

It said: "In establishing this year's rates, the committee conducted comprehensive checks on rice prices from November 2024 to January 2025. While normal-grade rice prices remained stable, higher-grade rice prices saw a significant increase of over 3 per cent."

This year, the rates were derived from the median price of 2.3kg of rice in two grades - normal and higher - that the Muslim community in Singapore usually eats.

Muis said it introduced the two-tier zakat fitrah rate in 2005 to take into account Muslims who wish to contribute more than the normal rate, particularly those who consume higher-grade or premium rice, which includes Thai hom mali, basmati and brown rice.

It added that the committee left unchanged the normal zakat fitrah rate while adjusting the higher rate for premium rice options. This will ensure market fairness while enabling Muslims to fulfil their religious obligation according to their rice consumption preferences, it said.

"Contributors may choose the rate that best aligns with their daily consumption. This careful approach ensures that all Muslims can fulfil their religious obligations while effectively supporting those in need within the community," it added.

While Muslims can pay the zakat fitrah any time during Ramadan, it must be paid before the morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which falls on March 31. They are advised to pay early ahead of celebrations.

Payments can be made online through the Zakat Singapore website.

Muis said it will also expand self-service kiosks to 13 more mosques, bringing the total to 49 locations where payment can be made.

Besides paying online or at self-service kiosks, Muslims can also make payment via several other methods, including AXS stations islandwide, writing a cheque to Muis, or using internet banking.

Muis advises those who intend to make payment online to exercise vigilance, citing the risk of scams and phishing attempts.