Ramadan 2024 Moon Sighting and Commencement Date
Ramadan 2024 Moon Sighting and Commencement Date
Mark your calendars! Saudi Arabia has officially declared the start of Ramadan for Monday, March 11, based on the sighting of the crescent moon. In accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan commences with the sighting of the new moon, and Saudi Arabia, along with other Muslim-majority nations, relies on the observations of moon sighters to determine the beginning of this sacred month.
How is the Ramadan Moon Sighted?
Spotting the crescent moon signifies the beginning of Ramadan. To catch sight of it, the conditions must be just right—the crescent must set after the sun, allowing the sky to darken enough to reveal the delicate sliver of the new moon.
As the sun sets on the evening of March 10, the 29th night of Shaaban in the Hijri calendar, moon sighters eagerly gaze westward, ensuring an unobstructed view of the horizon in hopes of glimpsing the crescent moon.
In Saudi Arabia, reports from individuals who have sighted the moon are meticulously recorded, and the Supreme Court ultimately determines the official start date of Ramadan.
Understanding the Phases of Ramadan
Ramadan’s lunar cycle typically spans between 29 and 30 days, contingent upon the visibility of the new moon on the 29th night of each month. If the new moon remains unseen, the month extends to 30 days.
The Significance of Ramadan
For Muslims worldwide, Ramadan holds deep spiritual significance. It marks the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago.
Throughout Ramadan, devout Muslims engage in fasting—from just before the Fajr (dawn) prayer until the Maghrib (sunset) prayer—abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and intimate relations as a means of cultivating greater consciousness of God, known as “taqwa”. Fasting constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and, for those who are able, the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
During Ramadan, working hours are often reduced, and many eateries shutter their doors during daylight hours to accommodate fasting individuals.
Greeting Someone for Ramadan
During this sacred month, individuals in various Muslim-majority regions exchange greetings in their native languages. Commonly heard expressions include “Ramadan Mubarak,” conveying wishes for a blessed month, and “Ramadan Kareem,” extending wishes for a generous and fruitful Ramadan.
Looking Ahead: Eid al-Fitr
As Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims eagerly anticipate the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, translating to “festival of breaking the fast” in Arabic. Depending on the sighting of the new moon, Eid al-Fitr is anticipated to commence on either April 10 or 11, spanning three days of festivities.
