Saudi Arabia declares first day of Ramadan 2024
It comes after the crescent moon was sighted on Sunday…
The first day of Ramadan will be Monday March 11, Saudi Arabia has announced. This comes after the crescent moon was sighted on Sunday March 10.
#BREAKING: The Supreme Court has declared that Monday, March 11, 2024, marks the start of the blessed month of #Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/iVi18I5O37
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) March 10, 2024
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar is lunar, meaning the corresponding Gregorian dates change year on year. Typically, Ramadan moves forward by roughly 10 days each year. In 2023, the first day of Ramadan was Thursday, March 23.
Ramadan will take place for either 29 or 30 days, again dependent on the sighting of the moon, after which, it will be a public holiday for Eid Al Fitr 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset. Non-Muslims, as well are obliged to respect the fasting practices in public, so if you do have to leave the house for any reason during the day, please ensure you refrain from any of the above activities.
Ramadan marks the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Traditionally, extra tarawih prayers are performed throughout Ramadan and each evening 1/30th of the holy book is recited.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is the foundation of the religion. The pillars are the framework by which Muslims everywhere live, and Ramadan is considered the holiest time in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for prayer, reflection and religious devotion, to cleanse past sins and to focus on Allah through good deeds.
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