Rabat – Oman is expected to announce Thursday, March 23 as the first day of Ramadan 2023, according to astronomical calculations.
The crescent moon should be easily visible on March 22 with the naked eye in most of the Sultanate’s governorates and many parts of the Middle East and North Africa, The Times of Oman reported over the weekend.
“The first fasting day is thus expected to be March 23, Thursday, for these countries,” the website quoted astronomical expert Dr. Sabih Al Saadi as saying.
The Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has also called all Muslims throughout the country to sight the crescent moon on Tuesday, asking all those who are able to see it to call the phones of the offices of their Walis or Judges.
The country has also announced that working hours will be reduced to six hours per day for private sector employees while public sector employees will have more flexible working hours with the option of remote work.
Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for 29 to 30 days throughout the month of Ramadan, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Astronomy calculations suggest that the majority of Arab countries are expected to celebrate the first day of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23.
Morocco’s Islamic Affairs Ministry announced today that the crescent moon sighting for Ramadan 2023 will take place on Wednesday, March 22.
The crescent sighting will determine the official date of Ramadan 2023.
Read Also: Astronomers Predict March 23 as First Day of Ramadan in Morocco
