Al-Musnad: Clear weather for sighting the Ramadan crescent in Saudi Arabia, with Tabuk being an exception
Muslims in Saudi Arabia will turn their eyes to the sky this evening, responding to the Supreme Court's call to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan. In this context, Dr. Abdullah Al-Musnad, a former professor of climatology at Qassim University, provided a detailed scientific analysis of the weather conditions and their impact on visibility, confirming that conditions appear ideal in most regions.
Satellite image analysis
Dr. Al-Musnad reviewed the latest satellite images, taken at 4:40 PM, which revealed that most regions of the Kingdom were clear of clouds obstructing visibility, as well as dust and suspended particles that typically hinder the work of moon-sighting committees. He explained that this clear atmospheric conditions greatly enhance the chances of visually observing the crescent moon, whether with the naked eye or through telescopes at accredited astronomical observatories.
Tabuk region exception
Despite the generally stable weather conditions prevailing across the Kingdom, Al-Musnad noted a single exception: the Tabuk region, specifically the area of Halat Ammar. Weather maps showed scattered cloud formations in that area, which may somewhat affect visibility for observers there, making the task of sighting the crescent moon more difficult compared to other regions enjoying clear skies.
Crescent sighting mechanism in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia relies on the sighting of the new moon to determine the start of the Islamic months, particularly Ramadan. This process combines Islamic tradition with modern technology. Official moon-sighting committees are stationed in carefully selected strategic locations such as Sudair and Tamir, areas known for their clear skies and distance from urban light pollution, making them ideal destinations for moon-sighters and astronomy experts.
Religious significance and popular anticipation
The sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon is of paramount importance and has a wide-ranging impact both locally and regionally, as many Islamic countries follow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in determining the start of the holy month due to its religious significance and its custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques. The final decision regarding the start of the month rests with the Supreme Court, which convenes to review the testimonies received from moon-sighting committees and astronomical observatories before issuing the official statement awaited by millions.
