Ramadan 2024: Global Observance and Start Date Explained

The start date of Ramadan varies from country to country due to the sighting of the new moon by local Islamic authorities, marking the beginning of the ninth month in the traditional Hijri calendar. Factors such as observation methods and weather conditions contribute to the variation, leading to countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman beginning Ramadan about 24 hours apart. In Southeast Asia, several countries will observe Ramadan from Tuesday, providing extra preparation time for millions of Muslims in the region.