The awaited commencement of the holy month of Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar 1445 has been confirmed with the sighting of the Crescent Moon in Saudi Arabia.
Muslim faithful around the world were on alert to report the sighting of the moon in readiness for the sacred month, which is considered a time for piety and sacrifice in the Islamic world.
In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saa’d Abubakar III, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had urged faithful to be vigilant in looking for the moon.
The sighting of the moon on Sunday signifies the beginning of the Ramadhān period from midnight, with Taraweeh prayers after Isha’i prayer.
Saudi Arabia announced the start of the holy month of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, following the sighting of the crescent by the moon-sighting committee. The crescent was spotted on Sunday evening, marking the last day of the Islamic month of Sha’ban.
The Islamic months typically span either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the Moon. With the Moon sighted on Sunday evening, the preceding month in the Hijri calendar, Sha’ban, concluded at 29 days. Consequently, Ramadan 1 falls on March 11, marking the beginning of Ramadhān 1445 fasting.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, lasting for 720 hours, which translates to four weeks and two days. During this period, followers of Islam fast between dawn and sunset, pray for peace and guidance, give back to the community through charity or zakaat, and engage in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged while reflecting on their spiritual journey.
The fasting date varies yearly due to the lunar-based Islamic calendar, with the starting and ending dates dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon.
