The crescent moon sighting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening ushers in the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan, with March 10 marking the final day of Sha’ban. Ramadan, following the lunar Islamic calendar, starts on Monday, March 11, as confirmed by the lunar sighting tradition.
The commencement of Ramadan, a significant period for Muslims worldwide, hinges on the sighting of the crescent moon, as per the lunar calendar’s dictates. Saudi Arabian authorities had encouraged Muslims to actively look for the moon, emphasizing its importance in determining the start of Ramadan.
The Supreme Court’s directive urged individuals who spotted the crescent to promptly report to the nearest court for documentation of their observation. While Saudi Arabia sets March 11 as the start date for Ramadan, other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei have slated March 12 as their commencement date.
In contrast, Oman will observe the onset of Ramadan on March 12, Tuesday, citing the absence of a verified crescent moon sighting on Sunday evening.
A spokesperson from the Saudi Arabian Supreme Court stated, “The sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of a sacred period for Muslims worldwide. We encourage all believers to actively participate in the tradition of moon sighting, as it holds immense significance in our religious practices.”
