The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed the sighting of the lunar month of Ramadan, signalling the commencement of the annual Islamic fasting period, The Herald reports.
The announcement was made via the Kingdom’s official Twitter platform, @Haramaininfo, on Sunday.
The tweet stated, “Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia! Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, 11 March 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers.”
Following suit, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) declared Monday as the first day of Ramadan, as reported by the Emirati state news agency WAM.
Qatar also joined in, declaring Monday the official start of Ramadan.
In Nigeria, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs announced the commencement dates for the annual Ramadan fast as March 11 and March 12, 2024, pending the sighting of the moon after sunset on Sunday, March 10.
In a statement, Prof. Salisu Shehu, Deputy Secretary-General of the NSCIA, urged the Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 on the specified date.
Despite the announcement from Saudi Arabia, the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, has not made an official declaration regarding the commencement of fasting in Nigeria.
Muslims worldwide follow a lunar calendar, and the sighting of the crescent moon marks the beginning of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan is a sacred time observed by over 1.8 billion Muslims globally, characterised by fasting and spiritual reflection.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for all healthy Muslims.
However, certain individuals, such as young children, the sick, travellers, and specific categories of women, are exempt.
The tradition of looking for the crescent moon is integral to determining the start of Ramadan and the two major Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.