ISLAMABAD: Islamic nations, having started the month of Shaaban on February 11, 2024, are gearing up to observe the crescent moon for Ramadan on March 10, Gulf News reported. Faithful are eagerly awaiting the sighting of the crescent moon.
According to the International Astronomical Center, the central conjunction is scheduled for 9 am GMT on March 10, 2024, with the moon expected to set after sunset across most Islamic regions. Consequently, many countries are poised to mark the beginning of Ramadan on March 11.
Despite the anticipation surrounding March 10, the likelihood of sighting the crescent appears slim, in accordance with scientific criteria for crescent visibility. Notable scholars such as Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin, and Elias, alongside astronomical observatories like SAAO, and researchers Yallop and Odeh, concur that the crescent will not be visible across the Arab and Islamic world on that day, whether with the naked eye or through a telescope.
However, there remains a possibility of sighting the crescent using a telescope from specific parts of the Americas, particularly in the western regions. In some countries, Ramadan is expected to commence on Tuesday, March 12.
As the countdown to Ramadan continues, the anticipation for the crescent moon sighting adds a significant dimension to the observance of this sacred month in the Islamic calendar. Preparations are underway across Islamic communities, underscoring the importance and reverence attached to this period of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
