Rabat – The General Secretariat of the European Council for Fatwa and Research has said April 2 will correspond to the first day of Ramadan 2022.
In a statement, the council said that the “accurate astronomical calculations for the crescent of the month of Ramadan” confirm that sighting of the crescent moon will be possible in the western part of Africa and the Americas with a telescope after sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the eight-month in the Islamic calendar.
The council noted that its calculations are based on several criteria, including confirmation from the International Jurisprudence Council, as well as from other committees such as the Unified Hijri Calendar’s first session held in Istanbul recently.
“We call on Muslims to take precautions and all precautionary measures and to listen to instructions of officials at all levels,” including health professionals, the council said.
Several international councils confirmed that the holy month of Ramadan will start on April 2 this year.
The Muslim Theological Council of France predicted on March 2 that the official start of Ramadan would correspond to April 2 and that May 2 would mark the end of Ramadan, a festival known as Eid Al Fitr.
The Islamic Relief is also expecting the holy month of Ramadan to begin on April 2, as is the Islamic Relief Canada. Both bodies also maintain that this year’s Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on May 2 or 3.
Astronomers in Morocco, on the other hand, are expecting Ramadan to begin on April 3.
Ramadan either lasts for 29 or 30 days. About two billion Muslims celebrate Ramadan across the world.
The holy month is among Islam’s five pillars, and the month is considered a period where Muslims need to increase their good deeds, including charity, self-accountability, among others.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating food, drinking water, and other liquids, chewing gum or taking medications from dusk to sunset.
People with prescribed medication and children are exempted from fasting.
