Many more than 1.8 billion Muslims around the world began to fast for the sacred month of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia and most of the other States in the Middle East welcomed the start of Ramadan late Friday after the crescent moon was seen in the kingdom, which houses the two most sacred sites in Islam.
“The Supreme Court decided that tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the month of (Ramadan),” the Saudi official press agency published Friday.
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan and Tunisia have announced that they would also start the day of the day on Saturday as well as on the Palestinian territory of Gaza torn by the war and the occupied West Bank. Sunni Muslims in Lebanon also started fasting on Saturday.
The office of the supreme chief of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and the Haut Clerc Shiite Iraqi, Ali Al-Sistani, said Sunday as the first day of Ramadan.
Morocco will also begin to observe the day on Sunday from Sunday, announced its Ministry of Islamic Affairs.
In Pakistan and India, observation of the moon will take place on Saturday evening with the fast which should follow on Sunday.
And in Southeast Asia, the most populous Muslim country in the world, in Indonesia, began Ramadan on Saturday while neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines will inaugurate the month on Sunday.
The observation of Ramadan Fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, forcing believers to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during the hours of clarity. Observer Muslims are also encouraged to donate to the poor.
