The holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, is expected to start in March 2024, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon. The start and end of Ramadan are determined by the lunar calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. Different countries and regions may have different methods and criteria for confirming the moon sighting, which can lead to variations in the dates of Ramadan. Here are the latest updates on the moon sighting for the UK, Saudi Arabia and Morocco.
The UK follows the global moon sighting, which means that the start of Ramadan is based on the first confirmed sighting of the new moon anywhere in the world. This is in contrast to the local moon sighting, which relies on the visibility of the moon in a specific location. The UK’s approach is supported by the European Council for Fatwa and Research, which states that the unity of the Muslim community is more important than the geographical differences.
According to the global moon sighting, Ramadan 2024 will start on March 11, 2024, as the new moon will be born on March 10, 2024, at 09:00 GMT/UT, and will be visible in some parts of the world on the same day. However, the new moon will not be visible by the naked eye in the UK or Morocco on March 10, 2024, but will be easily visible on March 11, 2024. Saudi Arabia, which follows the local moon sighting, will also start Ramadan on March 11, 2024, as the new moon will be visible in the country on that date.
The Saudi Arabia’s Approach to Moon Sighting
Saudi Arabia follows the local moon sighting, which means that the start of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the new moon in the country. This is in accordance with the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said: “Fast when you see the crescent, and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is cloudy, then complete the month as thirty days.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Saudi Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the country to look for the new moon on the evening of March 10, 2024, and to report any sightings to the nearest court or authority. The court will then announce the official start of Ramadan based on the testimonies of the witnesses. According to astronomical calculations, the new moon will be visible in Saudi Arabia on March 11, 2024, after the sunset, which means that Ramadan will start on that date.
The Morocco’s Approach to Moon Sighting
Morocco follows the local moon sighting, which means that the start of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the new moon in the country. This is in line with the Maliki school of jurisprudence, which is predominant in Morocco and other North African countries. The Maliki school holds that the moon sighting should be based on the actual observation of the moon, not on the astronomical calculations or the reports from other countries.
The Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs has appointed a committee of experts and scholars to monitor the moon sighting in the country. The committee will use telescopes and other equipment to look for the new moon on the evening of March 10, 2024, and will announce the official start of Ramadan based on the results. According to astronomical calculations, the new moon will not be visible in Morocco on March 10, 2024, but will be easily visible on March 11, 2024, which means that Ramadan will start on that date.
