Ramadan Moon sighting: Has the Moon been sighted to mark start of Ramadan 2020?
Ramadan is a month-long observance in the Islamic calendar, and is a time for sombre reflection and fasting. Ramadan is the ninth – and most sacred – month of the Islamic calendar.
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Observed worldwide by Muslims, Ramadan involves a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Some people are exempt from fasting: the sick, the elderly, pre-adolescent children, as well as pregnant and nursing women.
Those who are in at risk groups for coronavirus, or who are working long hours have been advised to be sensible in regards to fasting this year.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, around the world events and religious ceremonies have been cancelled to prevent further spread of the virus.
Read More: Ramadan Timetable 2020: When is Ramadan 2020? When does Iftar start?
Ramadan Moon sighting: Has the crescent Moon been sighted? (Image: GETTY)
Has the Moon been sighted to mark start of Ramadan 2020?
The date of Ramadan varies each year as it is based on the sighting of the crescent Moon.
Once the crescent Moon has been seen and Muslim leaders agree it’s a genuine sighting, it is announced Ramadan can begin.
The official Moon sighting can vary between communities however.
Ramadan Moon sighting: The Crescent Moon marks the start of Ramadan (Image: GETTY)
Some congregations base the date for Ramadan on Moon sightings in the UK, while others follow the declaration in Saudi Arabia.
This year, Ramadan is expected to start in the evening of Thursday, April 23 and end in the evening of Saturday, May 23.
The almanac office confirms the new moon actually begins on Thursday, April 23, at 3:26am British Summer Time.
However, no sightings of the new Moon with the naked eye are likely from the Middle East, North Africa or the United Kingdom on Thursday.
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This means Ramadan won’t be announced on April 23.
The almanac office explains the crescent Moon will be spotted on Friday, April 24 across the globe.
However, it may not be visible in south-eastern Australia, New Zealand and the north-eastern parts of Russia.
For observers in the Middle East, North Africa and the UK, the crescent should be visible to the naked eye on Friday April 24.
Ramadan Moon sighting: The fast is broken with meals shared by family (Image: GETTY)
Ramadan Moon sighting: The Moon sighting may vary around the world (Image: GETTY)
In turn, this would mean Ramadan begins on Friday evening, with the first suhoor (pre-fasting meal), daily fasting and iftar (post-fasting meal) on Saturday, April 25.
Ramadan would then end in the evening of Monday, May 25.
Typically during Ramadan, each day Muslims attend mosques to undertake prayers, however, amid the coronavirus lockdown this year will be different.
Social distancing measures are in place, meaning prayers, charity work and seeing friends and family during Ramadan has moved online.
When is the Crescent Moon visible?
London, UK
- Thursday April 23 – Not Visible
- Friday April 24 – Easily Visible – Sunset 20:13, Moonset 21:43
- Saturday April 25 – Easily Visible – Sunset 20:15, Moonset 22:53
Birmingham, UK
- Thursday April 23 – Not Visible
- Friday April 24 – Easily Visible – Sunset 20:23, Moonset 21:54
- Saturday April 25 – Easily Visible – Sunset 20:24, Moonset 23:04
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- Thursday April 23 – Not Visible
- Friday April 24 – Easily Visible – Sunset 18:44, Moonset 19:57 (2 hours ahead of BST)
- Saturday April 25 – Easily Visible – Sunset 18:44, Moonset 20:50 (2 hours ahead of BST)
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