The holy month of Ramadan has officially begun in several countries around the world, while in Pakistan, the Ramadan crescent was not sighted, delaying the start of fasting. The announcement of Ramadan’s commencement depends on the sighting of the new moon, which varies from country to country based on geographical location and atmospheric conditions.
Countries That Have Started Ramadan
Many Muslim-majority nations, particularly those following astronomical calculations or having witnessed the Ramadan crescent, have already begun their fasting. Among them:
- Saudi Arabia and Gulf Countries – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait officially declared the start of Ramadan after confirming the sighting of the crescent moon. Consequently, Muslims in these nations began fasting on [specific date].
- Turkey and Egypt – Turkey follows astronomical calculations, and Egyptian authorities also announced that Ramadan had started as per the sighting reports.
- Indonesia and Malaysia – Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia and Malaysia also confirmed the beginning of Ramadan after moon sightings were reported.
- North America and Europe – Muslim communities in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe, including the UK and Germany, follow either local moon sightings or the announcements made by Saudi Arabia, which means Ramadan has commenced in these regions as well.
Pakistan’s Crescent Sighting Status
Pakistan follows the traditional method of moon sighting through the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which relies on physical observation of the moon. However, this year, the committee announced that the Ramadan crescent was not sighted in Pakistan. As a result, the first fast in Pakistan will be observed a day later than in countries that have already started Ramadan.
Abdul Khabeer Azad and other members of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirmed that despite clear weather conditions in many parts of the country, there were no verified reports of moon sighting, leading to the conclusion that the month of Sha’ban would complete 30 days.
Read: Sindh Government Plans Public-Private Partnership
Why Do Some Countries Start Ramadan on Different Days?
The variation in the start of Ramadan across different countries is due to:
- Geographical location – The moon appears at different times in various regions.
- Method of determination – Some nations rely on astronomical calculations, while others strictly require physical sightings.
- Local traditions and religious interpretations – Some scholars advocate following international moon sighting decisions, whereas others emphasize local sightings.
Conclusion
While Ramadan has started in many countries, Pakistan, following its traditional moon-sighting process, will begin fasting a day later. The differences in sighting dates are a natural outcome of diverse lunar observation practices worldwide. Regardless of the start date, the essence of Ramadan remains the same—a time for reflection, devotion, and strengthening one’s faith.
May this holy month bring blessings, peace, and unity to the Muslim community around the globe. Ramadan Mubarak!
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
