The sighting of the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia on Sunday evening marks the start of the Holy month of Ramadan.

According to the Islamic lunar calendar, the month of Sha’ban ends on March 10, with Ramadan officially commencing on Monday, March 11.

The observation of the crescent moon is crucial in determining the beginning and end of Ramadan, as the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle of either 29 or 30 days per month.

Saudi Arabian authorities had earlier urged Muslims to look out for the crescent moon as a signal for the start of Ramadan. The Supreme Court had requested individuals who sighted the crescent to report their observations to the nearest court.

Countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Brunei have announced that Ramadan will begin on March 12.

However, Oman has declared that the start of Ramadan will be observed on March 12, Tuesday, as the crescent moon was not sighted on Sunday evening.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. This sacred month lasts for four weeks and two days, during which Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset, engage in prayer for peace and guidance, contribute to charitable causes through zakaat (charity), and partake in humanitarian activities like feeding the less fortunate. It is also a time for self-reflection and spiritual enlightenment.