Over 1.8 billion Muslims around the world have begun fasting for the sacred month of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia and most other Middle Eastern countries announced the start of Ramadan late on Friday after the crescent moon was sighted in the kingdom, which is home to Islam’s two holiest sites.
“The Supreme Court has determined that tomorrow, Saturday, marks the first day of the month of Ramadan,” the official Saudi Press Agency stated in a post on X on Friday.
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan, and Tunisia also declared that they would begin daytime fasting on Saturday, along with the Palestinian territories of war-torn Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Sunni Muslims in Lebanon also commenced fasting on Saturday.
The office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Ali al-Sistani, announced Sunday as the first day of Ramadan.
Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs confirmed that the country will begin observing the daytime fast from Sunday.
In Pakistan and India, the moon sighting is expected to take place on Saturday evening, with fasting anticipated to start on Sunday.
In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, started Ramadan on Saturday, while neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines will begin the month on Sunday.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring believers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity during daylight hours. Observant Muslims are also encouraged to donate to those in need.
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