The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called muslims in the nation to go outside and try to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan on the evening of Tuesday, 21 March 2023. According to the Ummul Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia, Tuesday is the 29th of Sha’ban 1444 AH. Traditionally, the 29th day of the islamic month is the day to sight the moon. If the crescent is not sighted then the previous month of Sha’ban will be completed to 30 days.
Astronomically, the moon is not yet born or has not reach conjunction with the sun to start the new month cycle on Tuesday evening in Saudi Arabia. The moon will set before the sun sets at that time. Therefore, it is impossible to sight the moon on Tuesday evening from Saudi Arabia. In fact, based on crescent moon visibility map for Ramadan 1444 AH, most part of the world will not be able to see the crescent moon on Tuesday (see map below).
Crescent moon visibility map for Ramadan 1444 AH on Tuesday evening, 21 March 2023. Most part of the world will not see the crescent moon (HilalMap).
Based on this astronomical data, it can be expected that the crescent moon of Ramadan could not be sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Therefore, the month of Sha’ban will continue until Wednesday and 1 Ramadan 1444 AH will fall on Thursday, 23 March 2023 in Saudi.
