Ramadan 2024 Moon Sighting: The onset of Ramadan 2024 in India is anticipated to occur on either 11 or 12 March, depending upon the sighting of the crescent moon, which is first visible in Mecca. The crescent-shaped Ramadan moon is typically observed first in Saudi Arabia, followed by Southeast Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh approximately a day later.
It’s noteworthy that while the rest of the world adheres to the solar or Gregorian calendar, Islam follows the lunar, or Hijri, calendar, with 354 days, governed by moon cycle phases, causing Ramadan to advance ten or eleven days annually. In 2023, the Crescent moon was sighted in India on 24 March.
Ramadan Crescent Moon 2024: Worldwide
On 11 March 2024, fasting is likely to commence in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Turkey, Maldives, and others. Conversely, in India, Indonesia, Egypt, and Bangladesh, Ramadan is expected to commence on March 12.
Ramadan: Rituals and Fasting
Muslims worldwide observe fasting from sunrise to sunset throughout the month of Ramadan. The two key meals during this fasting period are Iftar, consumed after sunset, and Suhoor, consumed before sunrise. Families and communities often gather to break their fast together during Iftar meals.
Since Iftar timings are determined by sunset timings, they vary each day. During Ramadan, Muslims meticulously track sunset hours. Due to significant geographic diversity in India, there are numerous timings for Iftar across different regions.
