Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on all the citizens and residents of the Kingdom to look out on Thursday night for the crescent moon that would signal the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Anyone who sights the moon through a telescope or the naked eye should inform the nearest court, it said.
Should the moon be sighted, then Friday will be the first day of Ramadan.
This year's holy month will be markedly different as the Kingdom and entire world grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Late on Monday, Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of praying in the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque during Ramadan to stem the spread of the virus, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques' Affairs said on Twitter.
Last week, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said that Muslim prayers during Ramadan and for the subsequent Eid al-Fitr feast should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues.
On Thursday, the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Madinah said it was banning events which dispense evening meals in the mosque to those in need during Ramadan to break their daily fast.
