Islamic nations, having commenced the month of Shaaban on February 11, 2024, are now preparing to observe the crescent moon for Ramadan on March 10, as reported by Gulf News.
The International Astronomical Center has pinpointed the central conjunction for 9 am GMT on that day, with the moon expected to set after sunset across most Islamic regions. Consequently, it is likely that many countries will officially commence Ramadan on March 11.
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However, scientific criteria for crescent visibility suggest that the likelihood of sighting the crescent on March 10 is minimal. Renowned scholars such as Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin, and Elias, alongside astronomical observatories like SAAO, and researchers Yallop and Odeh, concur that the crescent won’t be visible across the Arab and Islamic world on that day, either with the naked eye or through a telescope.
Nevertheless, the use of a telescope might enable the crescent to be visible from specific parts of the Americas, particularly in the western regions.
As a result, for countries within the Islamic world that adhere to precise crescent sighting, Ramadan is expected to commence on Tuesday, March 12.
With preparations underway, the anticipation for the Ramadan crescent sighting adds a significant dimension to the observance of this sacred month in the Islamic calendar.
