MANILA, Philippines – The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is set to begin on Tuesday, March 12. This is after moon sighting committees across the country reported no sighting of the new moon.
Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, the Bangsamoro mufti, made the announcement Sunday evening, March 10. “By the authority vested in me as Bangsamoro mufti, I, Abdulrauf Guialani, hereby announce that the crescent moon was not sighted today,” he said.
“Therefore, Ramadan fasting 2024 will officially commence on Tuesday, March 12.”
This marks the first time the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Darul Ifta have announced the same date for Ramadan.
In an advisory at 8:09 pm on Sunday, the NCMF stated that “no moon was observed tonight by all the NCMF regional and field offices and their moonsighting groups.”
Ramadan 2024 Dates
Islam follows a lunar calendar based on sightings of the moon. Muslims determine the date of Ramadan, as well as the Muslim feasts of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha. As mentioned, they conduct these activities through moonsighting in adherence to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Also Read: When is Ramadan 2024?
Had observers sighted the new moon on Sunday, Ramadan would have commenced on Monday, March 11. A sighting of the new moon would have negated the need to complete the 30 days of the preceding month.
What is Ramadan?
Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual activity from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. However, they make exceptions for individuals who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and elderly individuals for whom fasting may be harmful.
In neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, Ramadan will also commence on March 12.
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The mufti will also announce the date of Eid al-Fitr based on the result of the moon sighting at that time.
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