The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has called
on all Muslims across the country to look for the Ramadan crescent, which
denotes the start and the end of the holy month of Ramadan, on Tuesday evening.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Tuesday
corresponds to Shaban 29, 1444 in Islamic Hijri Calendar. Reportedly, if the
Ramadan crescent is seen this evening, then Ramadan will begin tomorrow. If the
Ramadan crescent is not seen, then the holy month will start on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court reportedly said that if anyone
sights the Ramadan crescent with their eyes, they must notify the nearest court
of their location to record their testimony.
The first Ramadan crescent marks the start of the holy month
of Ramadan. The last Ramadan crescent marks the end of the holy month of
Ramadan. During this time, Muslim people and religious authorities start
looking up to the night sky to view the Ramadan crescent moon.
Around 800,000 Muslims across the world have so far
registered for undertaking Umrah or a small pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia during the holy month of Ramadan.
The first 13 days are completely booked for Umrah.
Muslims across the world undertake Umrah in the Grand Mosque
in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Umrah
permits can be purchased through the Nusuk app, which comes under the Ministry
of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of Ramadan 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Affairs
Ministry laid down new rules. As per the new rules, a ban is imposed on
financial donations to Mosques, a ban on after-sunset iftar meals inside the
mosques, and volume levels of prayers must be kept low except in the main
mosques in the holiest cities of Mecca and Medina.
Ramadan is the biggest festival in Islam. Muslims fast from
sunrise to sunset this month.