Millions of Muslims around the world are marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan on different days this year, reflecting variations in moon-sighting practices among countries.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the Ramadan crescent was sighted on Tuesday evening, making Wednesday the first day of fasting. Several other nations including Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti also announced Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan.
In Iraq, both Sunni and Shiite religious authorities confirmed that fasting would begin on Wednesday, while in Yemen, the Houthi administration declared that areas under its control would also start observing Ramadan the same day. Sunni Muslims in Lebanon will likewise begin fasting Wednesday, according to Grand Mufti Abdul Latif Derian.
However, several countries announced a Thursday start after the crescent moon was not sighted locally. Religious authorities in Egypt, led by Grand Mufti Nazir Ayyad, confirmed that Ramadan would begin a day later. The same decision was taken by Jordan, Syria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Tunisia, and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, authorities in Türkiye, Oman, Singapore, and Australia set Thursday as the first day of fasting based primarily on astronomical calculations confirming the lunar calendar timeline.
In Morocco, officials are expected to conduct the traditional moon sighting on Wednesday evening to determine the official start of the month.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. While many countries continue to rely on physical moon sightings, an increasing number are adopting astronomical calculations, particularly when scientific data indicates that visual observation is unlikely.
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