Millions of Muslims worldwide will celebrate the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday, April 2, following the announcement that the new moon of the Hijri year had been sighted on Friday, 29th of Shaaban.
According to an official announcement from the Kingdom’s Supreme Court, the holy month will officially begin on Saturday, Al-Arabiya reported.
NEWS | The Crescent Moon has been sighted in Sudair, Saudi Arabia. #Ramadan 1443 will begin tonight. The first night of Taraweeh prayers will commence in Haramain after ‘Isha. #Haramaininfo pic.twitter.com/zQQ3LKqvP3
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) April 1, 2022
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The kingdom’s moon-sighting committee had met earlier today to spot the crescent with the naked eye.
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, and other countries would also start Ramadan on Saturday.
The Imam Council of South Australia announced in a statement on Facebook that the crescent moon had been spotted and the holy month would begin from Saturday, April 2. Egypt also announced that the holy month would begin from April 2.
Ramadan on Sunday
Some countries have announced the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, Khaleej Times reported.
The Sultanate of Brunei confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted in the country on Friday. Therefore, officials said Saturday, April 2, would be the last day of the month of Shaaban, and the holy month will begin from Sunday, April 3.
Oman, Malaysia and Indonesia also announced that the first day of the holy month would be April 3.
Morocco, which will also sight the crescent moon later on Friday, expects the starting date of Ramadan to be on April 3.
According to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), “the first day of Ramadan 1443 is on Saturday, April 2, 2022, insha’Allah. Tarawih prayer will start on Friday night April 1.”
Awaiting Moonsighting
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs advised Nigerian Muslims to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1442AH from Friday, Punch reported.
The council’s Director of Administration, Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, said in a statement that the search for the new moon would start on Friday.
The statement read, “Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee, the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1443 AH immediately after sunset on Friday, April 1, 2022, which is equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1443 AH.
“If the crescent is sighted by Muslims of impeccable character on the said evening, then His Eminence would declare Saturday, April 2, 2022 as the first day of Ramadan 1443 AH.”
A Holy Month
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Abdullah Bin Umar (RA) stated that: I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) saying:
“Fast when you see the moon (Ramadan), and cease fasting when you see it (Shawwal) but if it is cloudy for you then count the month (as thirty days).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“If it is cloudy for you, count out thirty days.” [Muslim]
AboutIslam.net wishes you all a happy and blessed Ramadan.