Ramadan 2024 Date: Moon Sighting, Fasting Hours, 'Suhoor' & 'Iftar' Timings For India

As the anticipation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan grew, communities around the world await the sighting of the new moon, which would mark the beginning of this sacred period.

Depending on their geographical location, some would observe the dawn-to-dusk fast lasting anywhere from 12 to 17 hours. For Muslims, Ramadan holds profound significance, symbolizing the month when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago.

It is a time of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and heightened devotion, where Muslims seek to deepen their connection with Allah through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity. With hearts filled with reverence and hope, they prepare to embark on this transformative journey of faith and renewal.

With hearts filled with reverence and hope, they prepare to embark on this transformative journey of faith and renewal.

This year, the holy month of Ramadan begins on Monday (March 11) or March 12, depending on the sighting of the new moon. In a recent announcement on X, The Holy Mosques stated, "Ramadan 1445: The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia officially calls for residents to search for the crescent moon marking the arrival of the holy month of #Ramadan on Sunday evening, March 10, 2024, corresponding to 29 Sha'ban 1445 AH."

However, should the crescent moon remain unseen after Sunday's Maghrib prayers, fasting will commence on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Likewise, in India, fasting will commence upon the sighting of the crescent moon, adhering to the same schedule observed in Saudi Arabia.

Fasting
Fasting during Ramadan, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims. It is viewed as an act of worship, fostering piety and submission to God. The fast, observed from dawn to sunset, involves abstaining from food, drink, and bad deeds, while dedicating time to prayer, Quranic recitation, and charitable acts.

Muslims break their fast with the iftar meal, often sharing it with the needy, and begin the day with suhoor to nourish themselves before fasting resumes.

While the pre-dawn meal is called 'suhoor,' the fast-breaking evening meal at the time of adhan (call to prayer) of the Maghrib prayer is called 'Iftar'.