Ramadan will begin on Thursday, May 17, Saudi Arabia announced.
Around the world
Millions of Muslims around the world will begin the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations, like Indonesia, declared Ramadan would not begin Wednesday based on a moon-sighting methodology. That means the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting will most likely begin Thursday, according to a news agency.
Lebanon
Ramadan to start on Thursday in Lebanon.
Bahrain
Bahrain declares Ramadan on Thursday.
Other countries
South Korea, Japan and Singapore declare Ramadan on Thursday.
Jordan
Jordan declares Ramadan on Thursday, according to Petra news.
Iraq
Iraq declares Ramadan on Thursday.
7.29pm
Moon could not be sighted: Saudi sources
The Ramadan moon could not be sighted tonight (Tuesday). Saudi Arabia is waiting for official announcement, according to sources.
5.35
Moon sighting difficult tonight
Ramadan crescent moon may be difficult to spot tonight, says one of Saudi Arabia’s well known moon spotter, according Al Arabiya.
5.18pm
Malaysia
Muslims in Malaysia will beging observing the month of Ramadan from Thursday, May 17, 2018, 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.
12:06pm
Australia
The Australian Muslim Council of Imams has declared that Ramadan will fall on Thursday May 17, 2018.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, 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)”.
The announcement was made by the Grand Mufti of Australia, Abdul Azim Al Afifi on the council’s official Facebook page.
In the UAE, a moon-sighting committee has been formed to sight the crescent after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department.
Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, issued the resolution to set up the committee and urged all Sharia courts in the country to participate in the moon sighting and inform the committee of any findings.
- With inputs from Mariam M. Al Serkal, Senior Web Reporter
