Dubai: Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, will begin from tomorrow across the Gulf region except Oman, it was announced today. In the UAE, the Ramadan Moon Sighting Committee announced that the first day of fasting will be tomorrow. UAE’s Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Moon Sighting Committee, in a statement declared that after investigation, application of relevant Sharia laws, and contacts with neighbouring countries, tomorrow will be the first day of Ramadan.
Based on several reports from witnesses from different parts of Saudi Arabia that they have seen the new crescent of the month of Ramadan, the authorities decided that tomorrow will be the first day of fasting. Similar announcement was also made in Qatar. In Bahrain also the same pronouncement was made.
However, Oman announced that the fasting month in the country will start from Tuesday. The Moon Sighting Committee in Oman said that the moon was not sighted and therefore the fasting month will begin on Tuesday. “The committee did not receive any notifications about Ramadan moon sighting, therefore Monday will be the 30th of Sha’aban and Tuesday 7th of June will be the first day of Ramadan,” it said.
PTI