Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon cycle and has 354 days, unlike the solar or Georgian calendar that the rest of the world follows. Ramadan is the holy month of blessing and fasting for Muslims around the world, as it commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and engage in prayers, charity, and spiritual activities. Ramadan is also a time of celebration, as Muslims break their fast with dates or khajur at iftar in the evening, and enjoy special dishes and desserts with their families and friends.
However, the start and end of Ramadan are not fixed, as they depend on the sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning and the end of each lunar month. Therefore, Ramadan is 10 or 11 days earlier every year, and Muslims across the world eagerly await the announcement of the moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, which determines when Ramadan should begin and end. The committee consists of religious scholars and experts, who gather at the Tamir Observatory in Riyadh, and use telescopes and cameras to spot the small sliver of the new moon or crescent moon on the western horizon, after the sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the month preceding Ramadan. If the crescent moon is sighted, then the committee declares the start of Ramadan, and if not, then the committee waits for another day, and declares the start of Ramadan on the 31st day of Sha’ban.
Ramadan 2024 May Begin on March 11 or 12, Depending on the Crescent Moon Sighting
According to the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan 2024 may begin on March 11 or 12, depending on the crescent moon sighting in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Muslim-majority nations on the evening of March 10, the 29th day of Sha’ban 1445 Hijri. The International Astronomical Center stated that the central conjunction, which is the alignment of the sun, the earth, and the moon, is expected to occur on March 10 at 9am in the morning GMT, with the moon slated to set after sunset across nearly all regions of the Islamic world. However, according to some scholars and researchers, the possibility of sighting the crescent moon on March 10 seems unlikely, based on various criteria for crescent visibility outlined in scientific research. As per their opinion, the crescent moon will not be visible on that day across the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye or using a telescope, but the western regions, including certain parts of the Americas, may be able to sight the Ramadan crescent on March 10 with the use of a telescope.
Therefore, if the Ramadan crescent is not sighted on March 10 after Salat al Maghrib, the evening prayer, then the moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia will announce on March 11 that the first day of Ramadan will be on March 12, Tuesday. However, if the Ramadan crescent is sighted on March 10, then the committee will announce that the first day of Ramadan will be on March 11, Monday. The committee will also announce the date of Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, which will be either on April 9 or 10, depending on the crescent moon sighting on the 29th day of Ramadan.
Ramadan 2024 May Vary Across Different Countries and Regions, Based on Their Local Moon Sighting
While Saudi Arabia and some other countries follow the global moon sighting, which is based on the visibility of the crescent moon anywhere in the world, some other countries follow the local moon sighting, which is based on the visibility of the crescent moon in their own region or country. Therefore, Ramadan 2024 may vary across different countries and regions, based on their local moon sighting. For example, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia will most likely sight the Ramadan moon on March 11, hence, the first fasting day of Ramadan for them will be March 12, but if not sighted, then the first day of fasting will be March 13. Similarly, some parts of Europe, North America, and Australia may sight the Ramadan moon on March 10, hence, the first fasting day of Ramadan for them will be March 11, but if not sighted, then the first day of fasting will be March 12.
However, some countries and regions may also follow the announcement of the moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, regardless of their local moon sighting. For example, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and some parts of Africa may follow the Saudi announcement, and start and end Ramadan on the same dates as Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is advisable for Muslims to check with their local authorities or mosques for the exact dates and timings of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in their respective countries and regions.
