All brewing speculations about the moon sighting controversies have been officially put to rest in many prominent Muslim countries, including Nigeria as today, Friday, April 24, 2020 has been declared the beginning of Ramadan.
Muslim News can confirm that the Ramadan crescent moon has been sighted in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Malaysia Palestine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirate, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt, Indonesia, Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon and a host of others.
Since the beginning of Sha’ban, Muslim faithfuls have kept their fingers crossed, waiting to usher in the holy month of mercy and forgiveness despite the present existential COVID-19 threat ravaging the globe.
However, findings by Muslim News revealed that not all Muslim countries have commenced their fast today as some of them, including Pakistan, Brunei, Oman, Sri Lanka, among others will start tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Saudi Arabia
The home to Islam’s holiest mosques, Saudi Arabia officially announced the commencement of the Ramadan fast yesterday through its Supreme Court.
Recall that this medium earlier reported that the Supreme Court told citizens to look out for the moon on Thursday, April 23. In a statement by the Supreme Court yesterday, today, Friday marks the first day of Ramadan 2020.
Muslim News learnt that this year’s Ramadan will be different from previous ones as Saudi Arabia is currently on lockdown, while mosques except the two holiest sanctuaries, are under lock and key.
Nigeria
Hours after Saudi Arabia announced its commencement of Ramadan, the President-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad III ordered Nigerian Muslims to begin Ramadan fast today.
The Deputy Secretary-general of the Council, Prof Salisu Shehu told Muslim News that the moon was sighted in some parts of Katsina and Yobe States.
Turkey
Turkey, an emerging regional and economic power, has also declared the commencement of the 2020 Ramadan fast.
The Turkish government-led by its President, Recep Toyyib Erdogan, announced that today Friday, marks the beginning of Ramadan, as the citizens were cautioned to maintain social distancing in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Qatar
Qatar is another Muslim populated country that joined the league of Muslim countries that began the holy month of Ramadan today, Friday.
The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in a statement announced that today Friday, is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. The committee made the announcement after it held a meeting on Thursday evening to hear the testimony of those who sighted the crescent of Ramadan.
Malaysia
The Government of Malaysia officially announced that Ramadan starts on Friday, April 24, 2020 after the crescent moon was sighted in Malaysia region.
The official department that announces the sighting of the moon, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Malaysia made this announcement yesterday, Thursday, 23rd of April, 2020 as it congratulates Muslims on the occasion.
Palestine
Palestine, the home to the third holiest mosque in the world, is also among the Muslim countries that began the Ramadan fast today, Friday, April 23, Muslim News can confirm.
According to Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, today, April 24, will be the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Palestine.
The Grand Mufti made the announcement after the Palestinian Fatwa Council had ascertained that the Ramadan crescent was properly seen on the evening of Thursday, April 23, 2020.
United Arab Emirate
The United Arab Emirate has also commenced the holy month of Ramadan fast today as its official Moon Sighting Committee announced late yesterday that the crescent moon had been sighted in some parts of the country.
The announcement came in following the committee’s meeting after the Maghrib prayer on Thursday, 23rd of April, 2020, as Muslim faithfuls were advised to adhere to precautionary measures amid the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, despite being in Europe, has a fair share of Muslim worshippers. UK Muslims would be fasting alongside their counterparts in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world today, the first day of Ramadan.
The Ramadan moon has been sighted in the UK as well as in Europe, the authorities have confirmed. Like many other countries, the Muslims in the UK will be fasting amid Coronavirus pandemic.
Other countries where Ramadan fast has officially started following the sighting of the moon and announcement by authorities are: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt, Indonesia, Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia.
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