Yes, another Ramadan is coming soon. For muslims, this year will bring Ramadan of 1445 Hijra in the islamic calendar. So, when does 1 Ramadan begin in 2024? That is a question that we will give some light on.
The moon’s conjunction that marks the start of a new astronomical moon cycle will take place at exactly 9:00 UT on Sunday, 10 March 2024. On this evening of Sunday, the crescent moon or hilal will not be visible for most part of the world except from the islands in the Pacific Ocean. There is a low chance of sighting the crescent moon using telescopes or optical aids from North America. The crescent moon visibility map below captures the moon sighting possibility around the world on Sunday:
Crescent moon visibility map for Ramadan 1445 AH on Sunday, 10 March 2024.
Saudi Arabia Moon Sighting
The position of the moon in Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening (29 Shaban 1445 AH according to Ummul Qura Calendar) is already above the horizon after sunset. Therefore, based on Ummul Qura criterion, 1 Ramadan should begin the next day, Monday, 11 March 2024. However, Saudi Arabia will conduct a national moon sighting on Sunday evening and will announce the result of the moon sighting to determine the start of Ramadan 1445 AH. But, as we can see from the visibility map above, the Arabian Peninsula lays on the region where the moon will not be visible using naked eye. Official date may be different from the calendar.
Crescent Moon Visibility for Ramadan on Monday, 11 March 2024
On Monday, 11 March 2024, the conditions for sighting the moon get more favorable as shown in the crescent moon visibility map below. Most part of the world will be able to see the first crescent moon of Ramadan 1445 AH on Monday evening using naked eyes. The hilal of 1 Ramadan 1445 AH will be easily observable.
Crescent moon visibility map for Ramadan 1445 AH on Monday, 11 March 2024. Most part of the world will be able to observe the moon in this evening marking the star of Ramadan.
Therefore, based on moon sighting, 1 Ramadan 1445 AH will correspond to Tuesday, 12 March 2024 for most part of the world. The first tarawih prayer should begin on the eve of Tuesday or Monday night.
We will also report and publish photographs of the crescent moon of 1 Ramadan 1445 AH from around the world in this blog, in-sha-allah.
