Muslims in North America will welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Tuesday, April 13, according to astronomical calculations.

“The first day of Ramadan 1442 is on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, insha’Allah. Tarawih prayer will start on Monday night April 12,” reads a statement from the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) obtained by AboutIslam.net.

📚 Read Also: What is Ramadan?

The Muslim body said the Ramadan moon would be born on April 12.

“The Astronomical New Moon is on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2:33 Universal Time. On that day, everywhere in North and South America at sunset the elongation is at least 8 degrees and moon is at least 5 degrees above the sun,” FCNA statement added.

📚 Read Also: Your Guide to Revival in Ramadan

FCNA uses the criteria of the European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at the sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and moon should be at least 5 degrees above the horizon.

If these conditions are met, the new crescent will be visible somewhere on earth. Hence the new lunar month will start the next day, otherwise, it will start on the day following the next day.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.

AboutIslam.net wishes you all a happy, blessed Ramadan.