As the holy month approaches, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and across the Islamic world are turning their eyes to the heavens, awaiting the crucial moment of sighting the Ramadan crescent . Precise astronomical calculations have revealed important details regarding sunset times in various regions of the Kingdom, providing a clear roadmap for the moon-sighting committees and astronomical observatories throughout the country.
Sunset journey from east to west
Astronomical data indicates a significant time difference of up to 52 minutes between the first and last city in the Kingdom where the sun sets on the night of the observation. This time journey begins in the Eastern Province, specifically at the Dammam Observatory , where the sun sets at 5:34 PM, marking the actual start time for field observations.
The shadows of sunset gradually move towards the central region of the Kingdom, where observatories record a precise convergence of times. At the Al-Uyaynah Observatory, sunset occurs at 5:50 PM, followed by the Tumair Observatory one minute later (5:51 PM). Sunset then coincides at the Hawtat Sudair and Al-Hariq Observatories at 5:52 PM. The movement continues westward to include Shaqra (5:54 PM), Buraydah (5:59 PM), and Hail (6:06 PM).
The religious and geographical significance of the sighting process
This time difference is of paramount importance, extending beyond its astronomical significance; it grants the moon-sighting committees a wide and extended window of opportunity to confirm the sighting of the crescent. This geographical expanse of Saudi Arabia, stretching from east to west, provides a strategic advantage in crescent observation, as the inability to see the new moon in one region due to weather conditions can be compensated for by observing it in another region where the sun sets later.
In the Two Holy Mosques, the committees are awaiting sunset in Medina at 6:18 PM and in Mecca at 6:20 PM, a pivotal time given Mecca's status as the Qibla for Muslims and a primary reference point for determining the start of the month. The observation journey concludes in the far northwest at the Tabuk Observatory at 6:26 PM.
Monitoring mechanism and adopted standards
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relies on a methodology that combines the traditional sighting of the new moon with astronomical calculations to determine the beginning of lunar months, especially the holy month of Ramadan. The Supreme Court directly oversees this process, calling upon all Muslims and specialists to participate in the moon sighting.
To ensure the accuracy of the results, those observing the crescent moon undergo rigorous medical examinations to measure their visual acuity, and their testimonies are certified according to strict standards that guarantee reliability. Astronomical observatories equipped with the latest technology play a key role in supporting this process, providing precise data on the crescent's position and duration after sunset. This facilitates the observers' task and increases the accuracy of the official announcement awaited by millions of Muslims worldwide to determine the start of the holy month.
