MAKKAH: Ramadan’s moon is likely to be sighted on March 22 (Wednesday) in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, resultantly the first fast will be observed on March 23.

The astronomers say that the month of Shabaan may be of 30 days. A team of astronomers has expected that on 29 Shaban 1444 Hijri corresponding to 21 March 2023, the moon will set at 5:54 PM in various countries including Saudi Arabia while the Sun sets at 6:05 PM, due to which it is not possible to see the moon of Ramadan.

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The astronomers say that it is expected that the month of Shabaan will be of 30 days, as per this calculation, the first fast is expected to be observed on 23 March 2023 (Thursday) and followed by Eid al Fitr festival on Friday, April 21, 2023. These dates will naturally be confirmed as move closer to Ramadan.

However, tradition mandates that the exact date of the holy month’s beginning must be determined by a moon-sighting committee consisting of religious scholars, astronomers, and other authorities under the cover of night. The committee is responsible for observing certain sightings related to the appearance and cycle of the new crescent moon which heralds the start of Ramadan.

However, according to the lunar calendar, Ramadan 2023 will be likely to fall on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Pakistan.

The holy month of Ramadan is considered the holiest and most sacred month of the Islamic Hijri (lunar) calendar. Muslims firmly believe that it was during this exalted month that the archangel Gabriel descended from the heavens and revealed the Message to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to Allah by way of fasting; that is to say, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and also husband-wife intimacy from the breaking of dawn until the setting of the sun.