As the month of Sha'ban draws to a close, the eyes of the Islamic world turn to Saudi Arabia, where moon-sighting committees and astronomical observatories across the country are preparing to observe the crescent moon of Ramadan. Precise astronomical calculations reveal a significant time difference in sunset times between the east and west of the Kingdom, reaching up to 52 minutes, thus providing an extended window of opportunity for the observation committees to search for the new crescent.
A detailed timetable for the monitoring marathon
The astronomical observation marathon begins in the Eastern Province, with the Dammam Observatory being the first to witness the setting of the sun at 5:34 PM. The observations then gradually shift westward, passing through the main observatories in the central region of the Kingdom. At the Al-Uyaynah Observatory, the sun sets at 5:50 PM, followed by the Tumair Observatory a minute later at 5:51 PM. Sunset occurs simultaneously at the Hawtat Sudair and Al-Hariq Observatories at 5:52 PM, while it is delayed at the Shaqra Observatory until 5:54 PM.
The sunset journey continues northward, with the Buraidah Observatory in the Qassim region recording sunset at 5:59 PM, followed by the Hail Observatory at 6:06 PM. As darkness descends on the westernmost part of the Kingdom, observers in Medina await sunset at 6:18 PM, and then in Mecca at 6:20 PM, a pivotal time due to its religious significance. The observations conclude in the far northwest, with the Tabuk Observatory being the last location in the Kingdom to witness sunset at 6:26 PM, thus ending the day's observations.
The importance of sighting the crescent moon: a religious and scientific legacy
The sighting of the new moon is a practice deeply rooted in Islamic history. It is the legitimate method established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his saying, “Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break your fast when you see it,” to determine the beginning and end of the lunar months, most notably Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah. Throughout history, this practice has combined religious and astronomical knowledge. In modern times, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adopts a methodology that combines the legitimate sighting with the naked eye, performed by designated observers approved by the Supreme Court after verification of their visual acuity and experience, with precise astronomical calculations and the use of the latest technologies and telescopes in official astronomical observatories, such as the Al-Majmaah University Astronomical Observatory in Hawtat Sudair and the Tumair Observatory, which have become among the most important accredited sites in the Kingdom.
Local and international impact of the Vision declaration
The announcement by the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia confirming the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon holds immense significance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the announcement marks the official start of the holy month, bringing about changes in all aspects of life, from work and school hours to the prevailing spiritual and social atmosphere. Internationally, many Muslim countries and communities around the world closely follow and rely on Saudi Arabia's announcement to determine the beginning of Ramadan, given the Kingdom's religious standing and the presence of the Two Holy Mosques within its borders. While some countries may rely on their own local sightings, Saudi Arabia's announcement remains a pivotal event, uniting millions of Muslims in beginning their fast on the same day.
