Saudi Arabia will begin the fasting month of Ramadan on Monday following reports of moon sightings in many parts of the Kingdom, the country's Supreme Court announced after an extraordinary session Sunday evening. "Based on several reports from prudent witnesses in different parts of the country that they saw with their naked eyes the new crescent of the month of Ramadan at sunset on Sunday, and as per the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that Muslims are obliged to start their fast and break their fast upon seeing the new moon, the Supreme Court, at an extraordinary session this evening and after having collated enough evidence of the sighting of the moon, decided that tomorrow (Monday) will be the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan 1437," the court said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency late Sunday. "On this occasion, the Supreme Court congratulates Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, his Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince, the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as Muslim expatriates and the entire Islamic world on the advent of this blessed month. We appeal to Allah Almighty to help all fasters accomplish their worship in ease and comfort, and make the Islamic nation united, reconciled and victorious," the statement added. – SG/SPA
