Crescent Moon Sighted in Iran, Ayatollah Sistani Declares Thursday First Day of Ramadan

IQNA – With the sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday evening, Thursday was announced the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Iran.  

On Wednesday, the Istihlal (moon sighting) committee of the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution announced that the crescent of Ramadan has been sighted and, therefore, Thursday, February 19, will be the first day of the holy month.

The office of Iraq’s top Shia cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani also declared Thursday the first day of Ramadan.

A number of Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, started fasting on Wednesday.

Some religious scholars rely on astronomical calculations to determine the beginning of lunar months while most of them believe visual sighting of the moon should be used in this case.

Ramadan is the ninth and most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking.

They also devote more time to prayer, charity and good deeds, seeking to strengthen their faith and purify their souls.

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