As Muslims around the country prepare to welcome Ramadan, the crescent moon for the holy month is likely to be sighted on Sunday, March 10 in most Islamic countries, Gulf News reported on Monday.

Quoting the International Astronomical Center, Gulf News reported that the central conjunction is set to occur on March 10 at 9:00am GMT, as the moon is likely to set after sunset across nearly all regions of the Islamic world.

With the forecast, most Muslim countries will commence Ramadan on Monday, March 11.

However, there is a possibility that the crescent will not be sighted in some regions on March 10 based on various criteria for visibility outlined in scientific research.

According to several scholars and astronomical observatories like SAAO and researchers Yallop and Odeh, the crescent will not be visible on March 10 across the Arab and Islamic world with the naked eye or using a telescope.

However, the use of a telescope may help make crescent visible in parts of the Americas, particularly in the western regions.

In countries that necessitate the sighting of the crescent in the Islamic world, it is projected that Ramadan will commence on Tuesday, March 12.