Millions of Muslims worldwide will celebrate the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23, following the announcement that the new moon of the Hijri year was not sighted on Tuesday, 29th of Shaaban.
“The crescent moon has NOT been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, #Ramadan will commence on the night of Wednesday, the first day of fasting on Thursday, in shā Allāh,” Haramin wrote on Twitter.
NEWS | The crescent moon has NOT been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, #Ramadan will commence on the night of Wednesday, the first day of fasting on Thursday, in shā Allāh. pic.twitter.com/mMwYa6aDAR
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) March 21, 2023
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The Kingdom’s moon-sighting committee had met earlier today to spot the crescent with the naked eye.
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and other countries would also start Ramadan on Thursday.
In Egypt, Dar Al-Ifta also announced that the holy month would begin on Thursday after moon was not sighted on Tuesday.
According to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), Muslims in North America will start Ramadan fasting on Thursday, March 23, according to astronomical calculations.
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Moonsighting on Wednesday
Meanwhile in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has advised Nigerian Muslims to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1444 from Wednesday.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar also asked Muslim faithful to look out for the moon immediately after sunset on March 22.
“In addition to the established and traditional Islamic leaders in each locality, the National Moon-Sighting Committee can be contacted to report any credible and positive sighting of the crescent of Ramadan 1444 AH,” he said, The Sun reported.
CRESCENT SIGHTING REMINDER!
— National Moonsighting Committee Nigeria (@moonsightingng) March 20, 2023
This coming Wednesday 22nd March 2023, is the 29th of Sha’ban 1444 & hence the day to look for the crescent of Ramadan 1444.
Find attached below Sunset and Moonset times of selected cities in Nigeria for Wednesday and Thursday 22nd & 23rd March 2023. pic.twitter.com/UcDkOKLSQ1
Also, Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other South Asian countries will sight the moon on Wednesday, March 22.
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A Holy Month
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Abdullah Bin Umar (RA) stated that: I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying:
“Fast when you see the moon (Ramadan), and cease fasting when you see it (Shawwal) but if it is cloudy for you then count the month (as thirty days).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“If it is cloudy for you, count out thirty days.” [Muslim]