Islamic nations, having begun the month of Shaaban on February 11, 2024, are preparing to observe the crescent moon of Ramadan on March 10. Gulf News reported.
The International Astronomical Center notes that the central conjunction is scheduled for 9 a.m. GMT that day, and the moon is expected to set after sunset in most Islamic regions. As a result, many countries are anticipated to mark the beginning of Ramadan on March 11.
Despite this, the likelihood of seeing the crescent on March 10 appears slim, based on scientific criteria for crescent visibility.
Renowned scholars such as Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin and Elias, along with astronomical observatories such as SAAO, and researchers Yallop and Odeh agree that the crescent will not be visible on that day throughout the Arab and Islamic world, nor with the naked eye or through a telescope.
However, the use of a telescope could make the crescent visible from specific parts of America, especially in the western regions.
Therefore, for countries in the Islamic world that require an accurate sighting of the crescent, Ramadan is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 12.
As preparations unfold, anticipation for the sighting of the Ramadan crescent adds a significant aspect to the observance of this holy month in the Islamic calendar.
