Global Muslim Community Begins Observing Ramadan 2024

Millions of Muslims worldwide have commenced the sacred month of Ramadan for 2024, a time of spiritual reflection and fasting that holds immense significance in the Islamic faith. Starting on Sunday 10 March, adherents are honoring the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

During Ramadan, Muslims engage in abstaining from earthly pleasures, including food and water, from sunrise to sunset. The month, marked by prayers and reading of the Quran, aims to deepen spiritual connections and encourage acts of generosity among believers.

As the Islamic calendar is lunar, the timing of Ramadan shifts each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar, causing variations in start dates across different countries. This year, Saudi Arabian officials declared the beginning of Ramadan after sighting the crescent moon, with other nations in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific following suit.

While some nations like Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Arab nations, and parts of the Middle East commenced fasting on Monday, countries such as Australia and Singapore are set to begin on Tuesday. The diverse moon-sighting practices contribute to variations in the start of Ramadan globally.

Despite the spiritual focus of Ramadan, this year’s observance is shadowed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The war-torn region faces immense challenges, prompting calls for international humanitarian aid and ceasefires to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians during this sacred month.

As Muslims come together for dawn and dusk meals, known as ‘suhoor’ and ‘iftar’, the community aims to foster unity, charitable deeds, and peaceful coexistence. However, regional tensions, including restrictions on access to religious sites like Al-Aqsa Mosque, cast a shadow over this year’s Ramadan observance.

The global Muslim community, spread across different continents, remains steadfast in their observance of Ramadan’s spiritual tenets, aiming to draw closer to Allah through prayer, discipline, and acts of kindness during this holiest of months.