RIYADH: The Ramadan crescent moon was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening, meaning the holy month will officially begin on Thursday instead of Wednesday.
According to state media reports, the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the holy month, has not been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, March 22 (Wednesday) would be the last day of Sha’ban, and the holy month of Ramadan would begin on Thursday, March 23.
The Islamic calendar is normally either 29 or 30 days, and the beginning and end of the month depend on the crescent moon, which is why the holy month of Ramadan is not set on any specific days annually.
The Kingdom’s moon sighting body will meet again on Wednesday evening to confirm the sighting of the moon.
Ramadan moon sighting in Saudi Arabia
Earlier, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had called on Muslims to sight the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia called on whoever sights the moon – either by the naked eye or through binoculars – to report to the nearest court and register their observation.
Ramadan is when the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the faithful observe the ninth month of the Islamic calendar with prayers and fasting.
