Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims across the kingdom to sight the crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan on Thursday evening, April 23.
The court urged all the citizens and residents to look out for the crescent moon that marks beginning of the fasting month. “Anyone who sights the moon through a telescope or the naked eye should inform the nearest court,” the court said.
It called on those who have the ability to view the crescent to join the moonsighting committees formed for this purpose in the kingdom’s regions.
If the crescent is sighted on Thursday night, Sha’aban 30, then Friday will be the first day of Ramadan. This year’s Ramadan will be marked differently as the entire world is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, Saudi authorities extended the suspension of prayers in the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Last week, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh said that Muslim prayers during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues.
On Thursday, the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city of Madinah said it was banning events, which dispense evening meals in the mosque to those in need during Ramadan to break their fasting.
Source: Gulf News
