Daryan Says Ramadan Begins on Saturday
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan on Thursday announced that the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Saturday.
“We have not been able to verify the sighting of the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan and accordingly tomorrow, Friday... will be the 30th day of Shaaban, and Saturday, May 27 will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan,” Daryan said in a statement.
“As we greet Muslims on this holy month... we ask God Almighty to fill its days with security and serenity for all Muslims and Lebanese,” the mufti added.
Saudi Arabia had also confirmed earlier in the day that Ramadan will begin on Saturday, after the kingdom's moon-sighting committees failed to spot the month's crescent moon.
The month begins with the sighting of the new moon, which varies from country to country.
Ramadan is sacred to Muslims because it is during that month that tradition says the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious and charitable.
The fast is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam.
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