Several nations have officially designated the onset of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1445/2024 upon sighting the crescent moon marking the beginning of the sacred period.

- Australia -

The Mufti of Australia, along with the Federal Imams Council, the Australian Fatwa Council, and the Fatwa and Sharia Arbitration Council, have formally declared that tomorrow, Monday, marks the conclusion of the month of Shaban, and that Tuesday, March 12, will usher in the holy month of Ramadan in Australia.

The European Council for Fatwa and Research has outlined the dates for Ramadan's commencement and Eid al-Fitr.

- Malaysia -

Malaysia has stated that the crescent moon cannot be sighted, and consequently, Tuesday, March 12, will mark the beginning of Ramadan.

- Brunei -

The Sultanate of Brunei declared Tuesday, March 12, as the commencement of Ramadan, citing the inability to sight the crescent moon from various locations within the Sultanate.

- Astronomical calculations -

The European Council said that precise astronomical calculations regarding the Ramadan crescent for the year 1445 AH affirm that the conjunction will occur at 09:01 GMT on Sunday, March 10, 2024, corresponding to 29 Shaban 1445 AH, or 12:01 in local Mecca time. Thus, the crescent can be observed after sunset on Shaaban 29, 1445 AH, predominantly in the Americas, as per the European Council.

The International Astronomy Center has stated that sighting the Ramadan crescent on Sunday, March 10, is not feasible anywhere in the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye or through telescopes. However, the crescent may be observed with the naked eye on Monday, March 11, from all regions of the Islamic world.

The center clarified that the central conjunction is slated for Sunday, March 10, and sighting the crescent will not be possible in the Arab and Islamic world. Nonetheless, it may be seen using a telescope, particularly in Western regions of the Americas.

The International Astronomy Center further provided details on the crescent's position on Sunday, March 10, in select Arab and Islamic cities, highlighting calculations for its visibility at sunset.

In Amman and Jerusalem, the moon sets 13 minutes after sunset with an age of 06 hours and 35 minutes and a distance of 3.6 degrees from the sun. In Mecca, it sets 13 minutes after sunset with an age of 06 hours and 22 minutes and a distance of 3.4 degrees from the sun. Finally, in Cairo, the moon sets 14 minutes after sunset with an age of 07 hours and 2 minutes and a distance of 3.7 degrees from the sun.

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