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Rabat – Each year, astronomy experts carry out calculations predicting the starting date of religious events, including Ramadan. For this year, astronomical projections predict the holy month to start on March 11 in Saudi Arabia.
Last month, astronomer Hicham El Aissaoui predicted Saudi Arabia to fast for 30 days this year, and therefore the starting date of the holy month will fall on March 11.
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs is yet to confirm the official date following the sighting of the crescent moon on Sunday.
If the moon is observed with the naked eye on Sunday, Ramadan begins on March 11. If Shaaban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar comples 30 days, the first day of the holy month will be on March 12.
However, the Gulf country has already started preparing for the holy month.
The Islamic Ministry, for instance, issued a notice informing mosque-goers that iftar will be banned in mosques and prayer space during the holy month, citing cleanliness concerns.
According to the website Islamic Finder, sunset prayer will be performed at 6:22 in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan.
Call for sunset prayers or Magrhib will be between 6:22 and 6:29 p.m. throughout the month of March in the Gulf country.
As for dawn or fajr prayers, it will be at 5:09 a.m. on March 11, marking the first day of Ramadan.
Fajr prayer marks the start o f fasting for Muslims. Rama Fasting hours differ from country to country depending on dawn and sunset prayers. Muslims break their fast at sunset.
Ramadan is one of the holiest months in Islam. Fasting Ramadan is meanwhile one of Islam’s five pillars.
