Saudi Arabia declared on Sunday that the holy month of Ramadan would commence on Monday after the Ramadan crescent moon was sighted in the Kingdom, as reported by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Following Saudi Arabia's announcement, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also confirmed Monday as the first day of Ramadan, according to Emirati state news agency WAM. Qatar likewise declared Monday as the beginning of Ramadan.

Muslims worldwide follow a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. The sighting of a crescent moon signals the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The commencement of the dawn-to-dusk fasting month is determined by both lunar calculations and the physical sightings of a new moon.

Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims globally and is regarded as a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.