Islam follows the lunar or Hijri calendar which is based on the phases of the moon cycle and has 354 days unlike the solar or Georgian calendar that the rest of the world follows hence, Ramadan (also spelt Ramazan or Ramzan or Ramzaan) is 10 or 11 days earlier every year and Muslims across the world cannot wait to sight the crescent moon that will mark the onset of the Holy Month.
Importance Of the Moon In Ramadan
This is because usually, the crescent of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia and some parts of India along with some Western countries and then usually a day later in the rest of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries. Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam where observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk and traditionally gather to break their fast .
Saudi Arabia Will Witness First Ramzan Moon
This year, it may begin from March 11 if the crescent moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Muslim-majority nations on the evening of March 10 that is the 29th day of Sha’ban 1445 Hijri. If the Ramadan crescent is not sighted on Sunday, March 10 after Salat al Maghrib, the moon sighting committee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will announce on Monday evening that the first day of Ramadan may be on March 12, Tuesday.
Ramzan Moon In South Asian Countries
This year, it may begin from March 11 if the crescent moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Muslim-majority nations on the evening of March 10 that is the 29th day of Sha’ban 1445 Hijri. If the Ramazan crescent is not sighted on Sunday, March 10 after Salat al Maghrib, the moon sighting committee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will announce on Monday evening that the first day of Ramadan may be on March 12, Tuesday.