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Muslims across most Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, will begin fasting on Saturday following the sighting of the moon marking the start of Ramadan.
According to Arab News, a daily based in Riyadh, the moon was spotted in Saudi Arabia on Friday evening.
In response, the government announced that the holy month’s observances would commence from Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.
Fasting will also begin on Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, and Australia.
However, in Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, Ramadan will commence on Sunday as the moon was not sighted in these regions on Friday, according to Gulf News, a Dubai-based daily.
In Bangladesh, Ramadan and Eid are typically observed a day after Saudi Arabia.
The National Moon Sighting Committee, led by Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain, will convene at the Islamic Foundation’s office in Baitul Mukarram on Saturday evening to assess moon sighting reports and determine the official start of fasting.
If the moon is spotted anywhere in Bangladesh on Saturday, the Islamic Foundation has urged people to report sightings by calling 02-223381725, 02-41050912, or 02-41050916, or by faxing 02-41050917.
Deputy commissioners and Upazila executive officer, or UNO, have also been asked to relay any confirmed sightings to the authorities.
If the crescent moon is spotted on Saturday, Ramadan in Bangladesh will begin on Sunday, Mar 2. In that case, Muslims will perform Taraweeh prayers on Saturday evening, have Sehri in the early hours and begin their fast the following day.
However, if the moon is not sighted on Saturday, the month of Shaban will complete 30 days on Sunday, and Ramadan will begin on Monday. This means the first Taraweeh prayers will be held on Sunday night, followed by Sehri late at night before the fast begins.