In Saudi Arabia, officials observed the crescent moon on Sunday night, signaling the commencement of the holy fasting month of Ramadan for a significant portion of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims.
Ramadan, a sacred period marked by abstaining from food and water from sunrise to sunset, fosters religious contemplation, familial bonds, and charitable endeavors across the Muslim community. With the sighting of the moon, Monday heralds the inaugural day of fasting.
According to reports from Saudi state television, authorities confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon. However, several Asian countries, including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, will commence Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to spot the crescent moon.
This year’s Ramadan arrives amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East due to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The situation raises concerns that the turmoil could extend beyond current borders. Additionally, global food inflation and high prices persist, further impacting communities worldwide.
In anticipation of the moon sighting, Saudi Arabia had encouraged the public to observe the skies from Sunday night onwards. The commencement of Ramadan varies across nations due to differing moon-sighting methodologies, with many Sunni-majority countries in the Middle East following Saudi Arabia’s lead.
In Iran, the authorities typically begin Ramadan a day after Sunni observance. During Ramadan, observers traditionally break their fast with dates and water, following the precedent set by Prophet Muhammad. They partake in “iftar,” a substantial meal, after sunset, and have a pre-dawn meal, or “suhoor,” to sustain themselves during daylight hours.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, rotates through the seasons and corresponds with different months in the Gregorian calendar. Muslims strive for peace and engage in acts of charity during Ramadan, although this year’s observance is overshadowed by the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing war, which commenced on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and a blockade, affecting the lives of Palestinians. Efforts to alleviate suffering, including U.S. pressure on Israel to facilitate aid access during Ramadan, are underway. However, Israeli restrictions on Muslims praying at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, also revered as the Temple Mount by Jews, could escalate tensions further.