Saudi Arabia has announced that the crescent moon has been sighted, marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Consequently, residents of the kingdom will observe their first fast on Saturday.
As one of the first countries to spot the new moon, Saudi Arabia’s announcement is typically followed by other nations in the Arab world, the Middle East, Western countries, and parts of India.
Ramadan is welcomed by Muslims worldwide with deep religious commitment. Over a billion people will fast throughout the month, focusing on patience, self-restraint, and giving to those in need.
The Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle, is about 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, making the start of Ramadan shift each year. Islamic months can last either 29 or 30 days, with the exact start and end of Ramadan determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and its start date varies annually on the Gregorian calendar.
