Several Arab and Islamic countries have announced that Tuesday, March 12th, will be the first day of Ramadan, and Monday, March 11th, is the completion of the month of Sha'ban. The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that tomorrow, Monday, is the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan in the kingdom. This follows the confirmed sighting of the crescent moon in the Sudair and Al-Huraik observatories, while it could not be sighted in the Tamir region. Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, and Tunisia also announced that tomorrow will be the first day of the blessed month.
On the other hand, Oman, Jordan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh announced that Tuesday marks the start of Ramadan. The International Astronomy Center reported on Sunday that advanced photographic techniques were used to try to sight the crescent from the Al-Khatim Observatory, known for its superior power and ability to see difficult crescents and celestial bodies in broad daylight. They tweeted that while the photography technique allowed the visibility of Venus and Mercury, nothing appeared when aiming the telescope at the crescent's location, noting that the sky was very clear.
In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court officially decided that tomorrow, Monday, March 11, 2024, is the beginning of Ramadan for this year, 1445 AH.
In Lebanon, the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian issued a statement confirming that the first day of Ramadan for the year 1445 AH is tomorrow, March 11, 2024, based on the consensus of Islamic jurisprudence scholars that if the crescent moon is sighted in one region, that sighting is applicable to all regions.
In Australia, the Australian Fatwa Council officially confirmed that March 12 is the first day of Ramadan in the country, stating that Monday, March 11, is the completion of the month of Sha'ban, and that evening, after sunset, will mark the first night of Ramadan and the establishment of Taraweeh prayers.
