Sighting of the Ramadan crescent in Saudi Arabia: Sunset times at 11 observatories

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The eyes of the Islamic world in general, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, will turn to the heavens as the sun sets on the 29th of Sha'ban, in response to the Supreme Court's call for all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to observe the crescent moon of Ramadan . This year witnesses a unique astronomical and geographical event: the varying times of sunset across the vast expanse of the Kingdom, creating a wide window of opportunity for observation.

A 52-minute difference... an additional opportunity for observation

Precise astronomical calculations have revealed a significant time difference in sunset times between the east and west of the Kingdom, reaching up to 52 minutes. This time difference not only reflects the Kingdom's vast geographical expanse but also provides field sighting committees and astronomical observatories with ample time and a greater opportunity to verify the crescent moon. If visibility is hindered in the eastern regions due to weather conditions or dust, the opportunity remains and is renewed as one moves westward, where sunset is later and the sky becomes darker in the east.

Sunset timetable at 11 observatories

The "Observation Marathon" begins on the East Coast and ends in the Northwest, in the following chronological order:

Dammam Observatory: The scene opens with sunset at 5:34 PM.
Al-Uyaynah Observatory: Sunset at 5:50 PM.
Tumair Observatory: (One of the most famous sighting sites) at 5:51 PM.
The observatories of Hawtat Sudair and Al-Hariq: Sunset occurs simultaneously at 5:52 PM.
Shaqra Observatory: at 5:54 PM.
Buraidah Observatory (Al-Qassim): at 5:59 PM.
Hail Observatory: at 6:06 PM.
Medina: Expects sunset at 6:18 PM.
Mecca: The sun sets at 6:20 PM, a pivotal time given the sanctity of the place.
Tabuk Observatory: The curtain falls on monitoring operations at 6:26 PM.

Historical context and methodology

Historically, Saudi Arabia has relied on the sighting of the new moon with the naked eye to determine the beginning of lunar months, in accordance with the Prophetic tradition, "Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break your fast when you see it." With scientific advancements, the Kingdom has blended tradition and modernity, equipping moon-sighting committees with the latest telescopes and astronomical instruments, and establishing permanent observatories in strategic locations such as Sudair and Tamir, which are characterized by clear skies and high altitudes.

The process of accepting the testimony is subject to strict standards supervised by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court. It is not enough to merely claim to have seen the crescent moon, but those who claim to have seen it are subject to precise medical examinations to measure the acuity of their eyesight, and their testimonies are scrutinized by specialized judicial committees to ensure the utmost accuracy in determining the beginning of the holy month.

Religious and regional significance

The Kingdom's announcement of the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon has repercussions not only within Saudi Arabia but also regionally and internationally. Many Muslim countries and Muslim minorities in the West follow the Kingdom's lead in determining the start of Ramadan, given its religious significance and its custodianship of the Two Holy Mosques. Based on the observations made by these 11 observatories during the crucial 52 minutes, it will be determined whether Muslims will perform the Taraweeh prayers that night, marking the beginning of the season of worship, or whether they will complete the month of Sha'ban as a 30-day month.