Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court calls on Muslims to look for Ramadan crescent in the evening
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Hashim Sheikh
- . March 21, 2023
- . Update: March 21, 2023 7:42 pm
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.
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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.
