Grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan announced on Thursday that Saturday, May 27, marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
“We have not been able to verify the sighting of the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan and accordingly tomorrow, Friday… will be the 30th day of Shaaban, and Saturday, May 27 will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan,” Daryan said in a statement.
The mufti hoped Ramadan will bring “security and serenity to all Muslims and Lebanese.”
“As we greet Muslims on this holy month… we ask God Almighty to fill its days with security and serenity for all Muslims and Lebanese,” the mufti added.
Similarly Saudi Arabia and dozens of other countries including Shiite Iran also confirmed earlier in the day that Ramadan will begin on Saturday.
The month begins with the sighting of the new moon, which varies from country to country.
On Monday the religious committee of the institution of late Lebanese Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah declared also that Saturday, May 27 is the first day of Ramadan, citing astronomical calculations.
Throughout the Muslim world, traditional daily fasting begins at sunrise or Fajr, and ends at sundown or Maghrib, when foods prepared especially for the month of Ramadan are eagerly devoured!
The official end of Ramadan begins with the first sighting of the new moon in the night sky, marking the Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid-ul-Fitr which is observed by families or by entire communities which come together to worship and celebrate the end of Ramadan in thanksgiving of life’s many bounties.
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