BREAKING: Saudi Arabia begins preparation to search for 2024 Ramadan moon crescent (Photos)
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has started preparation to search for the moon crescent to commence the 2024 Ramadan fasting.
Recall the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia had called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan on Sunday evening i.e. March 10, 2024, which corresponds to 29 Sha’ban 1445 AH in the Islamic calendar.
But as the time approaches, the authorities have started setting up telescope to look out for the cresent.
The crescent will be observed by a team of astronomy observers in Saudi Arabia’s Hautat Sudair, a village located at an intersection between Riyadh, Sudair, and Qassim.
The moon crescent will also be observed in Tumair which is some forty kilometers away from the city of Riyadh, Saudi’s capital.
LATEST | Preparations begin in Sudair, Saudi Arabia to sight the #Ramadan moon. Watch this space for latest updates! #HaramainInfo pic.twitter.com/ULgpmtoTYA
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) March 10, 2024
According to reports, Astronomer Abdullah Al-Khudairi will lead the committee in Sudair while
Astronomer Mutaib Al-Barghash will lead the committee in Tumair.
The sighting of the moon signifies the start and the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
If the crescent moon is sighted on March 10, then Ramadan fasting will begin on March 11. If the moon is not sighted on March 10, then the fasting will start from March 12 in the region.
Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims and is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
Fasting during the holy month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are in good health. Those exempt include young children, anyone who is sick, travellers and women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating.
