Moon sighting highlights for Ramadan 2023: The Ramadan crescent moon and Ramzan Chand could not be seen tonight by the Central Moon Sighting Committees in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, other Muslim-majority countries, Australia, the United Kingdom, or the Philippines. Fasts will therefore start on Thursday in these countries.
One of the five pillars of Islam is fasting during the month of Ramadan, also known as Ramzan/Ramzan/Ramzaan, when believers refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, engaging in evil deeds, and having marital relations from sunrise until dusk. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, lasts for 720 hours, or four weeks and two days. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, pray for guidance and peace, give to the community through zakaat, or almsgiving, or participate in charitable activities like feeding the poor. They also reflect in order to enlighten their souls.
Certain regions of the world are likely to see the first crescent moon of Ramadan 2023 tonight, March 21, as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Australia prepare for tomorrow, March 22, when the first day of Ramadan 2023 fasting will begin. Depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, Ramadan, also known as Ramazan, Ramzan, or Ramzaan, may start in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other South Asian nations one day later, on the evening of March 23 or 24, Ramadan 1444 AH, when the first fast would be observed.
The fasting date changes yearly because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle hence, its starting and end date depends upon the sighting of the crescent moon. Usually, the crescent of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia and some parts of India along with some Western countries and then usually a day later in the rest of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries.