Ramadan to begin Thursday as Saudi moon observers say no sight of crescent
Arab News,
May 15, 2018
Saudi
moon observers could not see the new moon on Tuesday evening. The
Kingdom and other Muslim nations, like Indonesia, declared Ramadan would
not begin on Wednesday based on the observations by moon-sighting committees
moon observers could not see the new moon on Tuesday evening. The
Kingdom and other Muslim nations, like Indonesia, declared Ramadan would
not begin on Wednesday based on the observations by moon-sighting committees
 |
| Photo showing the Saudi Arabian moon sighting committee, Tuesday, May 15, Al-Baha. (Observatory of the University of Majmaa) |
JEDDAH: Saudi
Arabian moon observers said that there was no sight of the Ramadan
crescent on Tuesday, meaning millions of Muslims around the world will
begin the holy month on Thursday.
According
to reports on Saudi Arabian state TV, bad weather made observation of the
crescent difficult. The Kingdom and other Muslim nations, like
Indonesia, declared Ramadan would not begin on Wednesday based on the
observations by moon-sighting committees.
to reports on Saudi Arabian state TV, bad weather made observation of the
crescent difficult. The Kingdom and other Muslim nations, like
Indonesia, declared Ramadan would not begin on Wednesday based on the
observations by moon-sighting committees.
Muslims
around the world are set to mark the month, during which believers abstain from
eating, drinking and smoking from dawn until sunset.
around the world are set to mark the month, during which believers abstain from
eating, drinking and smoking from dawn until sunset.
Fasting
is intended to bring Muslims closer to Allah and remind them of those less
fortunate.
is intended to bring Muslims closer to Allah and remind them of those less
fortunate.
The
Islamic world follows a lunar calendar, and the
traditional moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries
declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart
Islamic world follows a lunar calendar, and the
traditional moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries
declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart
This
year, Ramadan falls on long summer days for Muslims in the Northern
Hemisphere. For Muslims who live in regions where Islam is not the dominant
religion, challenging fasts are believed to come with greater blessings.
year, Ramadan falls on long summer days for Muslims in the Northern
Hemisphere. For Muslims who live in regions where Islam is not the dominant
religion, challenging fasts are believed to come with greater blessings.
Fasting
during Ramadan is one of the five obligatory pillars of Islam, along with the
Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, annual charity — known as
“zakat” — and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.
during Ramadan is one of the five obligatory pillars of Islam, along with the
Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, annual charity — known as
“zakat” — and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.
