Arab and Islamic Nations to Celebrate Ramadan on Wednesday, Some Start Thursday
Several Arab and Islamic nations are set to begin Ramadan on Wednesday, with others starting a day later. This month is significant for Muslims worldwide, marking a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
Countries Observing Ramadan on Wednesday
On Tuesday evening, the new moon of Ramadan was spotted in Saudi Arabia. As a result, the kingdom confirmed that fasting will commence on Wednesday. Other nations that will also start Ramadan on this day include:
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Palestine
- Sudan
- Somalia
- Djibouti
- Iraq (both Sunni and Shiite communities)
- Yemen (areas under Houthi control)
- Lebanon
Countries Observing Ramadan on Thursday
In contrast, several nations have announced that they will begin fasting on Thursday. Egypt’s grand mufti, Nazir Ayyad, indicated that the new moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening, resulting in a Thursday start. Countries observing Ramadan starting on Thursday include:
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Syria
- Indonesia
- Pakistan
- Iran
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Malaysia
- Türkiye
- Oman
- Singapore
- Australia
Moon Sighting and Astronomical Calculations
Various countries employ different methods to determine the start of Ramadan. While some rely on local moon sightings, others increasingly favor astronomical calculations. This approach is particularly useful when scientific data indicates that visual observations are unlikely. Morocco and Mauritania will also check for the moon on Wednesday to finalize their fasting dates.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holding deep spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. The varying start dates reflect a blend of tradition and modern scientific methods in observance of this sacred period.
