Ramadan 2024 Moon sighting in Saudi Arabia Sunday

The Holy Month of fasting, Ramadan 2024, in Saudi Arabia and other Arab states will commence on Monday March 11, 2024 if the Ramadan Moon is sighted in the Kingdom on Sunday March 11, 2024. Read More

Makkah: Saudi Arabia has officially asked local citizens to spot the New Moon of Ramadan – the Holy Month of Fasting, on Sunday 29th of Shaban 1445 AH, corresponding to March 10, 2024.

The official result of Ramadan moon sighting will be announced by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia after Maghrib Prayers Sunday Evening.

"The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has asked citizens and residents in the Kingdom to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 H on the evening of Sunday, 29th Sha’ban 1445 AH according to Umm Al Qura Calendar corresponding to March 10, 2024 and report any sightings to their nearest court", local media reported.

"The Supreme Court’s special session will sit and deliberate on Sunday evening the results of the crescent search and will issue a decision", the reports added.

The Kingdom’s main observatories are in Sudair and Tumair, and sightings of the new moon from the two observatories are part of the official decision.

Ramadan 2024 Date

Islamic Calendar is based on lunar system according to which a new month begins with sighting of the Moon (Crescent) on 29th of every month. If the Crescent is spotted on 29th, the prevailing month ends and the new month begin on the next day.

However, if the Moon is not spotted on 29th, the next day is counted as the 30th day of the ongoing month and the new month starts a day later.

Accordingly, the Holy Month of fasting, Ramadan 2024, in Saudi Arabia and other Arab states will commence on Monday March 11, 2024 if the Ramadan Moon is sighted in the Kingdom on Sunday March 11, 2024. Else, the holy month will start on Tuesday March 12, 2024.

Ramadan Moon Sighting in UAE, Qatar and Arab states

As for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, also for Turkey, Egypt and Palestine, the Ramadan normally starts in the countries along with Saudi Arabia.

Though these countries have their own observatories and moon committees, they normally go with the announcement made by Saudi Arabia.

Ramadan 2024 Moon Sighting in India, Pakistan

On the other hand, Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other South Asian countries will spot the Ramadan Moon on Monday March 11, 2024.

Similarly, Muslims in the United States (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Germany and other countries too will start fasting of Ramadan either on Sunday March 10 or Monday March 11, 2024.

The final decision will be taken on Sunday March 10, 2024 by the moon sighting committee operating in these countries.

Ramadan Work Hours

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and other Muslim states have already announced reduced working hours during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The authorities in these countries have also re-scheduled school and college timings for the Holy Month.

While some jobs necessitate longer hours, most employees in the private sector enjoy a two-hour reduction in their workday. Government offices often close early, with working hours for public sector employees reduced to six instead of the usual eight hours.

Special arrangements are also made for five daily prayers, Taraweeh (Special Night Prayers offered during Ramadan) and also for Iftar meals that mark the end of daily fast.

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