Ramadan is expected to begin on March 11 in most Islamic countries, according to a statement by the International Astronomy Center.

The central conjunction between the sun and moon will occur on March 10 at 9 AM GMT.

However, seeing the crescent on March 10 is not possible from anywhere in the Arab and Islamic world, whether with the naked eye or using a telescope, the statement said.

The moon is expected to set shortly after sunset in cities across the Islamic world on March 10.

In Mecca, the moon will set 13 minutes after sunset when it is 6 hours and 22 minutes old.

Similarly in Cairo, the moon will set 14 minutes after sunset when it is 7 hours and 2 minutes old.

Engineer Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center explained that for a crescent moon to be visible, its duration must be at least 29 minutes, its age must be over 15 hours and 33 minutes, and its distance from the sun must be more than 7.6 degrees. On March 10, the moon will not meet these criteria.

Most countries are therefore expected to sight the new crescent moon on March 11 with Ramadan beginning on March 12.

Odeh advised that the crescent could be seen relatively easily on March 11, about 15-25 minutes after sunset close to the western horizon using the naked eye.