As the month of Shaaban commenced on February 11, 2024, Islamic nations are now eagerly preparing to observe the crescent moon for Ramadan, which is anticipated to occur on March 10, as reported by Gulf News.
The International Astronomical Center has pinpointed the central conjunction for 9 am GMT on that particular day, with expectations that the moon will set after sunset across the majority of Islamic regions. Consequently, it is projected that numerous countries will officially commence Ramadan on March 11.
However, scientific criteria for crescent visibility cast doubts on the likelihood of sighting the crescent on March 10. Esteemed scholars such as Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin, and Elias, in conjunction with astronomical observatories like SAAO, and researchers Yallop and Odeh, concur that the crescent will remain elusive across the Arab and Islamic world, whether observed with the naked eye or through a telescope.
Nevertheless, the utilization of a telescope might render the crescent visible from specific regions of the Americas, particularly in the western areas.
Consequently, for countries within the Islamic world that prioritize accurate crescent sighting, Ramadan is slated to commence on Tuesday, March 12.
As the anticipation mounts and preparations unfold, the quest for sighting the Ramadan crescent augments the significance of this sacred month in the Islamic calendar.
