For many international locations, the primary day of fasting is prone to be March 2, relying on the sighting of the brand new moon.
The primary day of fasting for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Mecca can be Saturday, March 1, or Sunday, March 2, relying on the sighting of the brand new moon. Different international locations, particularly within the Western Hemisphere, might see the Ramadan moon earlier than Mecca this time.
Ramadan is decided by the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. Saudi Arabia and different Muslim-majority international locations depend on the testimonies of moon sighters to find out the beginning of the month.
How is the Ramadan moon sighted?
For the moon to be seen, the crescent should set after the solar. This permits the sky to be darkish sufficient to identify the small sliver of the brand new moon.
After the solar units on the evening of February 28, the twenty ninth day of Shaaban month within the Hijri calendar, moon sighters face west with a transparent view of the horizon for a primary glimpse of the crescent moon.
If the moon is sighted, the month of Ramadan begins, with the primary fasting day being March 1. In any other case, Shaaban will full 30 days, and the primary fasting day can be March 2.
In Saudi Arabia, testimonies of people that have noticed the moon are recorded, and the Supreme Court docket comes to a decision on when Ramadan ought to start.
When does Ramadan start in numerous international locations?
Based on Crescent Moon Watch (PDF), a moon tracker run by the UK’s Nautical Almanac Workplace, Ramadan’s new moon will start on February 28 at 3:45am Mecca time (00:45 GMT).
On February 28, the brand new moon must be seen solely within the Pacific, North America and components of South America.
It’s unlikely that a lot of the world, together with the Center East, Europe, and South Asia, will have the ability to see the brand new crescent even with an optical support.
The brand new moon will most probably be seen with out optical support if the skies are clear throughout a lot of the world on March 1.
For many international locations within the International South, the primary day of fasting will most probably be March 2.
Lunar months final between 29 and 30 days, relying on the sighting of the brand new moon on the twenty ninth evening of every month. If the brand new moon shouldn’t be seen, the month lasts 30 days.
Why is Ramadan holy?
Muslims consider that Ramadan is the month when the primary verses of the Quran have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad greater than 1,400 years in the past.
All through the month, observing Muslims quick from simply earlier than the dawn prayer, Fajr, to the sundown prayer, Maghrib.
The quick entails abstinence from consuming, ingesting, smoking, and sexual relations to attain higher “taqwa”, or consciousness of God.
Fasting is among the 5 pillars of Islam, together with the Muslim declaration of religion, each day prayers, charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca if bodily and financially succesful.
In lots of Muslim-majority international locations, working hours are diminished, and most eating places are closed in the course of the fasting hours.
How do you would like somebody for Ramadan?
Varied Muslim-majority nations have a personalised greeting of their native languages. “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” are widespread greetings exchanged over the month, wishing the recipient a blessed and beneficiant month, respectively.
