Authorities in Saudi Arabia say the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, has been sighted.
With the sighting of the Crescent moon, the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar 1445 will start on Monday, March 11, 2024.
Muslims across the world were placed on alert to report the sighting of the moon in readiness for the sacred month considered for piety and sacrifice in the Islamic world.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saa’d Abubakar III, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) urged Muslims to be on the lookout for the moon.
Australia, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei have announced March 12 as the beginning of Ramadan.
Oman announced Tuesday March 12 as the start of Ramadan as there was no sighting of the crescent moon on Sunday evening.
The sighting of the moon on Sunday signals the kickoff of the Ramadhan period from midnight with taraweeh prayers after Isha’i prayer.
According to the Saudi Supreme Court, the crescent was spotted on Sunday (March 10) evening, which also marks the last day of the Islamic month of Sha’ban.
The Islamic months lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.
With the moon sighted this Sunday evening, Ramadan 1 falls on March 11, marking the beginning of Ramadan 1445 fasting. it is expected to wrap up on April 8 or April 9,2024.
Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calendar when followers of Islam fast between dawn and sunset, pray for peace and guidance, give back to the community in the form of charity or zakaat or engage in humanitarian activities such as feeding the needy and self-reflection.
Dates for fasting alternates annually because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Therefore its starting and end dates relies on the sighting of the crescent moon.