Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims to sight the crescent moon of Ramadan on the evening of Friday, February 28.
The date corresponds with the 29th of Shaaban 1446 in the Islamic Hijri calendar.
“The Supreme Court requests that anyone who sees it (the moon) with the naked eye or through binoculars informs the nearest court and registers their testimony, or contacts the nearest center to assist them in reaching the nearest court,” the authority said in its statement.
If the moon is spotted on Friday evening after the Maghrib, or sunset, prayer, then Ramadan will commence on March 1. However, if the crescent moon is not spotted, then the holy month will begin on March 2.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered the holiest month for Muslims.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink, smoking, and other physical needs. The fast is broken at sunset with a meal called Iftar, and the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins is called Suhoor.
