Riyadh, Mar 01 (V7N) – The holy month of Ramadan will begin in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, March 1, following the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday evening.

Saudi Arabia’s mosque-based website "Inside the Haramain" confirmed at 5:57 PM that the moon had been sighted at the Tamir and Hotat Sudair observation centers. Shortly after, the Saudi Supreme Court officially declared March 1 as the first day of Ramadan 1446 AH.

Global Observations:

  • Australia was the first country in the world to officially declare the start of Ramadan based on moon sighting.
  • Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, also confirmed the start of Ramadan on March 1.
  • However, neighboring Brunei and Malaysia could not sight the moon and will begin fasting from March 2.
  • Other Middle Eastern countries, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, have also sighted the moon and will begin fasting on March 1.

With Saudi Arabia's announcement, many countries that follow its moon sighting decision are also expected to start Ramadan on the same day.

END/MSS/AJ