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Join on Telegram Rabat – Astronomical calculations expect Algeria to observe the first day of Ramadan 2023 on Thursday, March 23.
The International Astronomy Center said that Algeria will be among the countries that will carry out the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon on Wednesday, March 22, corresponding to Sha’ban 29, 1444 AH.
Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the moon sighting denotes the start and the end of the Islamic months, which last between 29 and 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.
For the countries that will sight the Ramadan crescent moon on March 21, the International Astronomy Center said that it will be “impossible” for them to observe it “because the moon sets before the sun and the pairing occurs after sunset.”
Meanwhile, the countries that will sight the Ramadan crescent moon on March 22, including India, Pakistan, Iran, Jordan, and Morocco, will be able to clearly observe it.
Read also: The Lowdown on Ramadan for Non-Muslims
Countries in the western part of the world will be able to perform the crescent sighting using a telescope while countries in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and southern Africa will be able to sight it “with difficulty” using the naked eye.
Meanwhile, Western Asia, most of Africa, western Europe, and the Americas will easily observe the crescent moon with the naked eye, according to the statement.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drinks, having sex, smoking, and drug use from sunrise to sunset.
The holy month is an opportunity for worshippers to embark on a spiritual journey and get closer to Allah by doing good deeds, praying, and reading Quran.
