How is the start of Ramadan determined?

The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar month. This sighting is usually carried out by religious authorities, who are responsible for confirming the start of the month of Ramadan.

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court of the country usually makes the announcement of the start of Ramadan after they receive reports from a network of moon observers across the country. These observers are trained to look for the new moon, which is usually sighted after sunset on the 29th day of the previous month.

However, if the new moon is not sighted on that day, then the current month is extended to 30 days, and the start of Ramadan is declared on the following day.

It's important to note that the start of Ramadan may vary from country to country, as well as within certain countries depending on the location of the moon observers. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check with your local mosque or religious authorities to confirm the start date of Ramadan in your area.