The holy month of Ramadan is likely to start next Friday as astronomers said the new Ramadan crescent could be sighted in the evening of Thursday.
“The moon will set on the coming Thursday six minutes after the setting of the sun, increasing the likelihood of the new moon being sighted on Thursday,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Shammari, a Saudi astronomer.
“If a reliable witness claims sighting the new moon on Thursday, then Friday will be the first day of Ramadan,” Al-Jazirah Arabic daily quoted Al-Shammari as saying.
He also predicted that Sunday would be the first day of Eid Al-Fitr. According to the current Um Al-Qura calendar, this year’s Ramadan begins on July 20 and ends on Aug. 18.
Meanwhile, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh criticized those who create doubts about the Um Al-Qura calendar regarding the time for beginning and ending fasting during Ramadan. “The Um Al-Qura calendar is approved by Saudi religious scholars and the government. The late Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz had appointed some scholars to monitor sunrise and found it exactly the same as Um Al-Qura calendar.”
Al-Asheikh said there is no specific number of rakaa for Taraweeh prayers as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not give a specific number of rakaa. However, he pointed out that it is better to elongate each rakaa than increasing its number.
He called upon Muslims to get ready to welcome the holy month in the right form and make use of it to cleanse their sins and establish closer relations with God.
More than 9,000 cadets are currently undergoing an intensive crowd management security training program in various police centers around the Kingdom. They will act as additional support to Makkah police during Ramadan.
