Following the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that the holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Saturday.
“The crescent was SEEN in Saudi Arabia today, subsequently the month of Sha’aban completes 29 days today and tomorrow, ie Saturday April 2, 2022 will be the first day of Ramadan 1443,” read a statement on the official Facebook page of the holy mosques. .
It is the saying of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) that “the fast of Ramadan should begin and be completed based on the sighting of the crescent moon”.
Nigerian Muslims are still waiting for the announcement of the moon sighting in the country.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs of Nigeria (NSCIA) advised Nigerian Muslims to look for the Ramadan crescent (moon) from Friday.
The NSCIA said the search for the new moon should begin immediately after sunset on Friday, April 1, which is equivalent to Sha’aban 29, 1443 AH.
The council noted that if the crescent is seen by “Muslims of impeccable character,” then NSCIA chief and Sokoto Sultan Saad Abubakar will declare Saturday the first day of Ramadan 2022.
“However, if the crescent is not seen on that day, then Sunday, April 3, 2022, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1443 AH,” the NSCIA statement read.
Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims around the world as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and helping those in need.
During the period, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual activities from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days, depending on when a new crescent moon is sighted.
The sighting of the new moon, after Ramadan, marks the beginning of another month, Shawwal, and the celebration of the Islamic holiday, Eid-L-Fitr.
The Ramadan ritual is observed to achieve a spiritual bond with God, as stated in Qur’an 2:183: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who preceded you, so that you may learn piety and justice.”