The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the sighting of the 2024 Ramadan moon crescent, signalling the beginning of fasting on Monday, March 11, 2024.
The Kingdom announced on its Twitter platform, @Haramaininfo, that the moon was spotted on Sunday evening, which means March 10 is the last day of the month of Sha’ban that precedes Ramadan.
The tweets partly read, “Crescent of Ramadan 1445/2024 has been sighted in Saudi Arabia!
“Subsequently, Ramadan 1445/2024 begins tomorrow, March 11, 2024. Taraweeh Prayers will begin in the Two Holy Mosques after Isha Prayers.”
While Saudi Arabia will start fasting on Monday, several other countries have already announced March 12 as the beginning of Ramadan, including Australia, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei.
Ramadan fasting follows the lunar Islamic calendar, where months can last either 29 or 30 days. Muslims worldwide begin and end fasting in the month based on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Muslims usually fast from sunrise to sunset in the month of Ramadan and pray for peace and guidance, give back to the community in the form of charity or zakat or engage in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged and introspecting to enlighten their souls.
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