Millions of Muslims around the world will begin the fasting in the month of Ramadan on Thursday(tomorrow). This followed separate announcements by Saudi and other Muslim nations like Lebanon, Bahrain, Indonesia that the moon could not be sighted on Wednesday.
“Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations, like Indonesia, declared Ramadan would not begin Wednesday based on a moonsighting methodology.
That means the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting will most likely begin Thursday, according to a news agency. Ramadan crescent moon may be difficult to spot tonight, says one of Saudi Arabia’s well known moon spotter, according Al Arabiya. Also, Muslims in Malaysia will begin the month tomorrow, according to government-owned RTM.
The announcement was made by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, according to the New Straits Times. Syed Danial said the date for the beginning of the fast nationwide was set in accordance with a decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after acquiring the consent of the country’s rulers.
Also, the Australian Muslim Council of Imams declared that Ramadan will fall on Thursday. In a circular issued yesterday, the council stated that “following extensive consultations with nationwide Islamic leaders and imams from the Australian National Imams Council Executive Committee and their representatives from all Australian states, the first night of the holy month of Ramadan and Taraweeh prayer will be on Wednesday the 16th of May after Maghreb (sunset)”.
