Web Desk(May 15, 2018): The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia will hold a special meeting to judge the moon sighting reports, if any, coming from the Kingdom soon after the Maghrib prayers today i.e. Tuesday, May 15, 2018 corresponding to 29th Shaban 1439 of the Islamic Calendar.
A formal announcement when Ramadan – the holy month of fasting, will begin in the year 2018 will follow soon. Going by the record of past few years, we can expect the announcement anytime before 09:00 pm Makkah time today. Various moon sighting committees in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE), Doha, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Muscat and other Arab states are also holding meetings of moon sighting committees to decide the commencement of Ramadan. Moon sighting committee in Ankara, Turkey is also holding a meeting today after sunset to decide the beginning of Ramadan 2018.The process is followed as per the tradition of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). The beginning of Ramadan has traditionally been based on “hilal” sightings, which is the traditional method mentioned in the Quran and followed by the Prophet Muhammad.
A new month in the Islamic Calendar begins with the sighting of the moon on 29th of the prevailing month. If the new moon, Crescent, is sighted, the next day is counted as the first day of the next month. If not, the next day is counted as a 30th day of the prevailing month and the new month begins thereafter.
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