Crescent Moon Not Sighted; Indian Muslims to Observe Ramadan from March 24

New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind announced that Ramadan crescent moon or Ramzan Chand was not sighted anywhere in India on March 22. So, Indian Muslims are to observe the Ramzaan fast this year from Friday (March 24).

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is a renowned organisation of Muslim scholars in India.

The Ramadan fasting date changes every year because Muslims follow the Islamic calendar that is based on the lunar cycle. Ramzan starting and end date depends upon the sighting of the crescent moon. Usually, the crescent of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia.

The crescent moon of Ramadan 2023 was sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK and other Muslim-majority nations on March 22. So, these countries will have the first fast of Ramadan 2023 from March 23 while taraweeh will begin after sunset on March 22.

Since the crescent moon was not sighted in India, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries on Wednesday night, Ramadan, also known as Ramazan or Ramzan or Ramzaan, will begin for these countries from March 24.