Ramadan 2023 To Officially Begin on March 23 in Australia

Rabat – The first day of Ramadan 2023 will officially take place on Thursday, March 23 in Australia, according to the Australia Fatwa Council.

The announcement was made following extensive consultations with the imams from the Australian Fatwa Council as well the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad.

The Fatwa council said in an announcement that the method used to determine the commencement of the month of Ramadan is based on “the calculated birth of the moon before sunset, the duration of the moonset after sunset and the possibility of sighting the moon.”

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The Holy Month of Ramadan for this year 1444H- 2023 will commence on Thursday, 23rd of March 2023
DOWNLOAD ANNOUNCEMENT: https://t.co/6yIEws4Ijx pic.twitter.com/AdEYNuGKsR
— Australian National Imams Council (@ImamsCouncil) March 16, 2023

The council stressed the method is adopted by many prominent and reputable global scholars.

The council’s statement added that it “acknowledges and respects the Imams and scholars who may hold a different opinion”, and it urged all Muslims to “respect the different opinions on this matter.”

Other countries such as Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Turkiye are also celebrating Ramadan on Thursday, March 23.

Ramadan is a month that provides Muslims prosperity and peace; it is a period of spiritual discipline during which people strive to do more good deeds, increase charity, and re-read the Quran.

Fasting is one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam along with the profession of faith, daily prayers, Alms-giving, and Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca.

Fasting requires worshippers to abstain from eating, drinking, having sex, and smoking, from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). At sunset, Muslims break their fast with traditional meals shared with family and friends (iftar.)

Ramadan is mandatory for adult Muslims. Individuals with long-term illnesses and other health issues as well as elderly people and pregnant women are exempt from fasting.

The holy month is marked by a spiritual atmosphere and mosques are usually crowded during the month as worshipers take advantage of the opportunity to pray especially during Taraweeh prayers.

Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a holiday dedicated to quality time with family members and loved ones. It also marks the return to a normal eating schedule.