Countdown to Ramadan 2024 Begins: Crescent Moon Sighting Sets March 12 as Commencement Date
As the Islamic world eagerly awaits the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, a celestial event marked by the sighting of the crescent moon has set the stage for its commencement. According to the Hijri calendar published by the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), Ramadan is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
This significant announcement comes after the UAE’s International Astronomy Centre officially declared the sighting of the Sha’ban crescent moon on Saturday, February 10. The Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory in Abu Dhabi captured images of the faint crescent during two distinct moments, solidifying the end of the month of Rajab on Saturday, February 10, and the commencement of Sha’ban 1 on Sunday, February 11, in the UAE.
The anticipation surrounding Ramadan has been further heightened as the temperatures during this period are expected to be moderate, aligning with the onset of the spring season in the UAE.
However, in Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee reported that the moon of Shaban remained elusive, failing to make its presence known anywhere in the country. Consequently, the committee officially declared that the 1st of Sha’ban 1445 Hijri would fall on Monday, February 12, in Pakistan.
This decision, based on the non-sighting of the moon, also has implications for the observance of Shab-e-Barat, slated for February 26. Swiftly responding to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s announcement, the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a notification, disseminating the decision to the public.
