One of Ministry of Religious Affairs officials is observing the new Moon to determine the start of Ramadan.
Riyadh, 26 Sha’ban 1438/23 May 2017 (MINA) – The Saudi Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of the Holy Month of Ramadan on Thursday evening, Sha’ban 29, 1438 H corresponding to May 25th, 2017.
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In its announcement, the Supreme Court called on whoever sights the crescent by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the authority of the region’s centre in his area where he sighted the crescent to facilitate his reaching the nearest court, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
In order to declare the beginning of Ramadan, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority countries depend on the testimonies of local moon sighters. The Judicial High Court then makes a decision on when Ramadan begins.
In the United States, the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) announced that Ramadan would be observed from May 27, based on astronomical predictions.
Muslim communities in Europe will also observe Ramadan starting from May 27, as per the European Council of Fatwa and Research and the Islamic Relief UK charity.
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Astronomically the birth of a new moon can be calculated, but the actual visibility of the crescent depends on factors such as atmospheric conditions, cloudiness, and the distance between the sun and the moon on the horizon.
Calculation indicates that the moon should be visible from most countries in the evening of May 26, either with the naked eye or a telescope.
“Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” are common greetings exchanged in this period, wishing the recipient a “blessed” and generous Ramadan.
(T/RS5/RS1)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
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