Saudi Arabia to begin Ramadan on Monday as crescent moon spotted

Officials spotted the crescent moon Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, marking the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan for many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.

The sacred month, which sees those observing abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset, marks a period of religious reflection, family get-togethers and giving across the Muslim world. Seeing the moon Sunday night means Monday is the first day of the fast.

Saudi state television reported authorities there saw the crescent moon. Soon after, Gulf Arab nations largely followed the announcement to confirm they as well would start fasting on Monday. Leaders also shared messages of congratulations the month had begun.

However, there are some Asia-Pacific countries like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, that will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent moon. Oman, on the easternmost edge of the Arabian Peninsula, similarly announced Ramadan would begin Tuesday.

This year's Ramadan comes as the Middle East remains inflamed by Israel's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip. That's raised fears that the conflict may spark unrest far beyond the current borders of the war. Meanwhile, inflation and high food prices around the world since the pandemic continue to pinch.

In Saudi Arabia, the kingdom had been urging the public to watch the skies from Sunday night in preparation for the sighting of the crescent moon. Ramadan works on a lunar calendar and moon-sighting methodologies often vary between countries, meaning some nations declare the start of the month earlier or later.

However, many Sunni-dominated nations in the Middle East follow the lead of Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca and its cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray toward five times a day.

In Iran, which views itself as the worldwide leader of Islam's minority Shias, authorities typically begin Ramadan a day after Sunnis start. Already, the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced Ramadan will start on Tuesday, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

During Ramadan, those observing typically break their fast with a date and water, following the tradition set by the Prophet Muhammad. Then they'll enjoy an "iftar," or a large meal. They'll have a pre-dawn meal, or "suhoor," to sustain themselves during the daylight hours.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month cycles through the seasons and the months in the Gregorian calendar.

Muslims try to avoid conflict and focus on acts of charity during the holy month. However, the war on the Gaza Strip is looming large over this year's Ramadan for many Muslims.

Millions of Muslims around the world will be marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan this month. Here's a quick look at what #Ramadan means ⬇ https://t.co/CrFS9ZE2aK

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) March 9, 2024

The war began on October 7 with Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The group says its attack was in response to decades of Israeli occupation and aggression against the Palestinian people.

Israel has since launched a brutal and indiscriminate air and ground offensive against the Gaza Strip, so far killing over 31,000 people and imposing an intense siege of the coastal enclave cutting off electricity, food, water, and medicine.

Scenes of Palestinians praying before bombed-out mosques and chasing after food airdropped by foreign nations continue to anger those across the Middle East and the wider world. The U.S. has been pressuring Israel, which relies on American military hardware and support, to allow more food in as Ramadan begins. It also plans a sea corridor with other partners.

The war, as well as any Israeli restrictions on Muslims praying at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, may further inflame militant anger.

The Islamic State group , which once held a self-described caliphate across territory in Iraq and Syria, has launched attacks around Ramadan as well. Though now splintered, the group has tried to capitalise on the Gaza war to raise its profile.

War also continues to rage across Sudan despite efforts to try and reach a Ramadan ceasefire.