Saudi Arabia has officially sighted the crescent moon, announcing that Ramadan 1447 will begin on Wednesday. Taraweeh prayers will be held after Isha tonight to mark the start of the holy month.
Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, and several other countries will begin fasting at dawn on Wednesday, a month devoted to prayer, reflection, and devotion.
In contrast, countries including Japan, Iran, Oman, Singapore, and Turkey will start Ramadan on Thursday, February 19, after the crescent moon was not sighted locally, following traditional lunar observation methods.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, follows the lunar cycle, which shifts the start date each year. Fasting from sunrise to sunset is one of the five pillars of Islam, mandatory for healthy adult Muslims, with exemptions for children, the sick, travellers, and women who are pregnant, nursing, or menstruating.
The sighting of the crescent moon has long been used to mark the beginning of Ramadan and major Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. During this month, many Muslim-majority countries adjust work and school schedules to allow more time for worship and family activities. Over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are expected to observe the fast.
