emirates7 -
-In these countries, it will not yet be the 29th day of Shaban on February 17, hence Moon sighting efforts cannot take place on that day
[Editor's note: Ahead of Ramadan crescent sighting, follow our live blog for real-time updates from the UAE and around the world]
Several countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, and Mauritania are set to search for the Ramadan crescent on Wednesday (February 18), as Tuesday (February 17) marks only the 28th day of Shaban in those nations.
Since it will not yet be the 29th day of the Islamic month of Shaban, Moon sighting efforts cannot take place on Tuesday.
Islamic months last 29 or 30 days, depending on when the crescent appears in the night sky. Sighting the Moon to determine the start of the month is a confirmed Sunnah (Prophetic teaching).
According to details shared by Astronomy Centre, sunset timings for Tuesday that in several parts of the world, the moon will set at nearly the same time as the sun. Typically, astronomers calculate the moon’s setting time based on the upper edge of its disk.
However, this month, since the moon sets alongside the sun in many cities, calculations must instead consider the lower edge of the moon’s disk — as any potential crescent would appear along that lower edge.
The astronomical data table circulated by the centre focuses only on countries where Tuesday corresponds to the 29th of Shaban. Nations where the day falls on the 28th — including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco and Mauritania — were excluded, as they will observe the crescent a day later.
At the same time, modern astronomy plays a supporting role.
Mohammed Shawkat Odah, director of the International Astronomical Union, has previously said that scientific calculations are meant to support, not replace, traditional moon sighting.
Why Ramadan’s start date differs across the Muslim world
The beginning of Ramadan is not uniform worldwide due to differences in moonsighting methods. Generally, countries follow one of four approaches:
Local physical sighting (Ru’yah)
This method relies on direct human observation of the crescent using the naked eye. The sighting is confirmed by the actual spotting of the thin crescent moon in the evening sky after Maghrib prayer. Observers look toward the western horizon, and any confirmed sighting — by the naked eye or sometimes optical aids — is reported to an official religious authority, such as a moon-sighting committee or court. Authorities then announce the official results to the public.
Astronomical calculations
This method uses scientific data, such as the time of conjunction, moon altitude, and visibility criteria, to determine when the crescent can be seen. It is followed by some countries, especially where sighting is difficult.
Standard method
In some cases, Muslims follow the crescent moon sighting or calendar of another country with an established Islamic authority — often the nearest Muslim-majority country or a location like Makkah — to decide when the Islamic month begins.
Antarctica, for example, has no permanent Muslim population or official Islamic institutions, so there isn’t a unique moonsighting system there the way countries have formal committees to declare crescent sightings. Muslims who happen to be in there, like researchers or staff at research stations, adapt by using this approach to sighting.
Hybrid approach
This method combines astronomical calculations and physical sighting. Calculations are used to determine whether sighting is astronomically possible and to guide observers, but the final decision still depends on an officially confirmed sighting announced by religious authorities. Calculations support the process but do not replace it, and Muslims have to wait for official announcements of sighting results.
-In these countries, it will not yet be the 29th day of Shaban on February 17, hence Moon sighting efforts cannot take place on that day
[Editor's note: Ahead of Ramadan crescent sighting, follow our live blog for real-time updates from the UAE and around the world]
Several countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco, and Mauritania are set to search for the Ramadan crescent on Wednesday (February 18), as Tuesday (February 17) marks only the 28th day of Shaban in those nations.
Since it will not yet be the 29th day of the Islamic month of Shaban, Moon sighting efforts cannot take place on Tuesday.
Islamic months last 29 or 30 days, depending on when the crescent appears in the night sky. Sighting the Moon to determine the start of the month is a confirmed Sunnah (Prophetic teaching).
According to details shared by Astronomy Centre, sunset timings for Tuesday that in several parts of the world, the moon will set at nearly the same time as the sun. Typically, astronomers calculate the moon’s setting time based on the upper edge of its disk.
However, this month, since the moon sets alongside the sun in many cities, calculations must instead consider the lower edge of the moon’s disk — as any potential crescent would appear along that lower edge.
The astronomical data table circulated by the centre focuses only on countries where Tuesday corresponds to the 29th of Shaban. Nations where the day falls on the 28th — including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Morocco and Mauritania — were excluded, as they will observe the crescent a day later.
At the same time, modern astronomy plays a supporting role.
Mohammed Shawkat Odah, director of the International Astronomical Union, has previously said that scientific calculations are meant to support, not replace, traditional moon sighting.
Why Ramadan’s start date differs across the Muslim world
The beginning of Ramadan is not uniform worldwide due to differences in moonsighting methods. Generally, countries follow one of four approaches:
Local physical sighting (Ru’yah)
This method relies on direct human observation of the crescent using the naked eye. The sighting is confirmed by the actual spotting of the thin crescent moon in the evening sky after Maghrib prayer. Observers look toward the western horizon, and any confirmed sighting — by the naked eye or sometimes optical aids — is reported to an official religious authority, such as a moon-sighting committee or court. Authorities then announce the official results to the public.
Astronomical calculations
This method uses scientific data, such as the time of conjunction, moon altitude, and visibility criteria, to determine when the crescent can be seen. It is followed by some countries, especially where sighting is difficult.
Standard method
In some cases, Muslims follow the crescent moon sighting or calendar of another country with an established Islamic authority — often the nearest Muslim-majority country or a location like Makkah — to decide when the Islamic month begins.
Antarctica, for example, has no permanent Muslim population or official Islamic institutions, so there isn’t a unique moonsighting system there the way countries have formal committees to declare crescent sightings. Muslims who happen to be in there, like researchers or staff at research stations, adapt by using this approach to sighting.
Hybrid approach
This method combines astronomical calculations and physical sighting. Calculations are used to determine whether sighting is astronomically possible and to guide observers, but the final decision still depends on an officially confirmed sighting announced by religious authorities. Calculations support the process but do not replace it, and Muslims have to wait for official announcements of sighting results.
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