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The commencement of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar 1445 has been confirmed for Monday, March 11, 2024, following the sighting of the Crescent Moon in Saudi Arabia.
Before this announcement, Muslim faithful worldwide were urged to report the sighting of the moon in preparation for this sacred month, known for its emphasis on piety and sacrifice in the Islamic world.
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In Nigeria, His Eminence Saa’d Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had also encouraged believers to remain vigilant for the moon’s sighting.
The confirmation of the moon sighting on Sunday signals the commencement of the Ramadan 2024 period from midnight, marked by Taraweeh prayers after the Isha’i prayer.
Saudi Arabia officially declared the start of the holy month of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, based on the sighting of the crescent by the moon-sighting committee.
The Saudi Supreme Court reported that the crescent was observed on Sunday evening, coinciding with the final day of the Islamic month of Sha’ban.
The Islamic months typically span either 29 or 30 days, determined by the sighting of the Moon. With the Moon sighted on Sunday evening, the preceding month in the Hijri calendar, Sha’ban, concluded at 29 days. Consequently, Ramadan 1 begins on March 11, marking the commencement of fasting in Ramadhān 1445.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, spans 720 hours, equivalent to four weeks and two days. During this period, followers of Islam observe fasting from dawn to sunset, engage in prayers for peace and guidance, contribute to the community through charity or zakaat, and participate in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged, all while reflecting on self-enlightenment.
The fasting date varies annually due to the Islamic calendar being based on the lunar cycle, with the start and end dates contingent on the sighting of the crescent moon.
