Muslims across the world are welcoming the holy month of Ramadan.
Observed as the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan sees Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset in order to devote themselves further to their faith and ultimately bring them closer to Allah.
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the presence of a new moon signals the start of a new month.
Ramadan began on the evening of Sunday May 5, which means that Monday May 6 is the first official day of fasting.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Why does a moon sighting committee signal the start of Ramadan?
The moon sighting committee is responsible for watching the moon and announcing the start of Ramadan.
The committee will be searching for the moon after Maghrib prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the month preceding Ramadan.
If adverse weather conditions make it difficult to see the moon on this day, sightings can also be considered on the 30th day.
But if the moon is spotted, then the process is repeated at the end of the holy month and the start of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan.
When will Ramadan start in the UK?
The UK follows guidelines set by the UAE committee to determine the start of Ramadan.
This year, the moon was spotted the evening of Sunday May 5, which means that fasting has been confirmed to start on Monday May 6. It will continue for 30 days until June 4.
Does Ramadan start on the same day in all Muslim countries?
No. Some Muslim countries such as Oman opts to call Ramadan independently of the rest of the Gulf, with the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia celebrating the holy month on the same dates.
Whilst each country has its own committee to confirm the sighting of the new moon, Saudi Arabia tends to have authority in calling for the start and end of Ramadan.
