Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia, UAE confirm sighting of crescent moon. Fasting to begin tomorrow

Ramadan, also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time for Muslims located globally to focus on prayers, fasting and charity. The last few days of Ramadan are considered a particularly holy period, as it is said to be the time when the Qu’ran’s (Koran) first verses were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).The first day of fasting during Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon (crescent moon). This year it’s supposed to be sighted on Friday, April 24 in Muslim nations such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Indonesia, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, that will begin fasting despite the coronavirus pandemic albeit with requisite precautions taken and several Ramadan-related activities curtailed.According to a report by Reuters, “Some 320 million Muslims in countries like Iran and Tunisia will face enforced separation at a time when socializing is almost sacred. Restrictions on gatherings have forced those organising community iftars - the evening meal in which Muslims break their fast - to find new ways to reach those in need from Syrian refugees to laid-off migrant workers in Gulf Arab states.” “In the United Arab Emirates where summer temperatures climb above 50 degrees, Ramadan fridges stocked by residents are normally placed in car parks and shopping malls allowing labourers to grab food and drinks as needed.”When is Ramadan starting in 2020?Date: April 24 2020First sighting of moon: United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia’s government said it would maintain the ban on all congregation prayers in the country, including Taraweeh - a set of special prayers that take place during the holy month.In the United States and Europe, Muslim communities rely on astronomical calculations and are likely to observe Ramadan from Thursday evening as well, with Friday being the first day of fasting.When is Ramadan starting in 2020?According to the International Astronomy Center (IAC), “The holy month of Ramadan is predicted to start on Friday, April 24, in most Islamic countries.”The Qatar Calendar House (QCH) announced that astronomical calculations say Ramadan’s new moon will be born on April 23 at 02:27 GMT (05:27 Doha local time). The actual visibility of the crescent moon will depend on natural factors such as atmospheric conditions, cloud cover and the distance between the sun and the moon on the horizon. Also read: Ramadan 2020: Unique and bizarre Ramzan practices around the worldHow long is the holy month of Ramadan?Islamic lunar months last anywhere between 29 to 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon. If the new moon is not visible by the 29th night, the month lasts 30 days instead.Saudi Arabia’s official Umm al-Qura calendar has marked the first day of fasting as April 24, 2020.Fasting during Ramadan month is one of the five pillars of Islam, which includes the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.By law, offices are required to reduce the number of working hours and restaurants stay shut during the daylight hours. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, however, several workplaces, restaurants and recreational zones will likely be shut throughout the period of Ramadan, in an attempt to curb the spread of the pandemic and maintain social distancing practices.The hours of fasting world-over are anywhere between 11 to 19 hours. “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” are common greetings exchanged during the holy month. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr which means the “festival of breaking the fast” in Arabic. This year, Eid al-Fitr is likely to fall on May 24, depending on the start date of Ramadan and the sighting of the crescent moon for the month after Ramadan, Shawwaal. LIVE UPDATES:

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Crescent moon spotted in Saudi Arabia

 

Saudi has confirmed the sighting of the moon for Ramadan.
The first day of Ramadan will be Friday. #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/NxczaQ5yRC— Gulf Today (@gulftoday) April 23, 2020

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Crescent moon seen in United Arab Emirates. Fasts to begin from tomorrow

 

Ramadan 2020: Crescent moon sighted in UAEhttps://t.co/Sz1n1M4Hsd #Ramadan #ramadankareem dan pic.twitter.com/puiyEOeYaO— Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) April 23, 2020

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Fasts begin on Friday in Indonesia

The crescent moon which marks the beginning of the month of Ramadan has been sighted in Palabuhanratu, West Java province, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Religion.

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Singapore to observes fasts from tomorrow

 

Tomorrow marks the start of the holy month of #Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims. May this Ramadan be a time of quiet reflection and prayer, together with your immediate families. – LHL https://t.co/nN9ZxKHMG7 pic.twitter.com/0mB2Usope8— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) April 23, 2020

Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Egypt to observes fasts from tomorrow

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Dar Al Ifta, April 24 will be the first day of fasting in Egypt.

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Malaysia to observes fasts from tomorrow

Officials have announced that the first day of fasting for the holy month of Ramadan will beging from April 24 in Malaysia.

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: CMO Punjab extends Ramadan wishes, urges to pray at home

 If you are a reader you can’t sit idle knowing that a delicious story has been left unread.

On the start of the holy Month of #Ramzaan let us take a vow to defeat this deadly epidemic. During the Month of Ramzaan let's pray AT HOME. #PunjabFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/jdMI6B2ypS— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) April 23, 2020

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Fasting to be observed from tomorrow in Karnataka

 

Month of Ramzan to be observed from tomorrow in Karnataka. The moon was sighted at Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts today.— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020

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Ramazan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Laila actor Huma Qureshi wishes everyone for Ramazan

 

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Moon was sighted in Kozhikhode. First day of fasting to begin from tomorrow in Kerala

Month of Ramzan to be observed from tomorrow in Kerala. The moon was sighted in Kozhikhode. - ANI News

 

Month of Ramzan to be observed from tomorrow in Kerala. The moon was sighted at Kappad in Kozhikode.— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020

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Ramadan 2020: Wishes, messages, SMS, WhatsApp messages for friends and family

Ramadan is the holy month of worship which is a time of spiritual reflection and devotion. Muslims all over the world keep roza, which is a fast that is observed from sunrise to sunset. Read here.

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Ramadan 2020: History, significance and when does Ramadan begin

During the period of Ramadan, millions of Muslims fast for a month every year. It is one of the most important festivals of the Islamic calendar. Read here.

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: US Secretary Mike Pompeo extends Ramadan wishes to Muslims around the world

Taking to his Twitter account, the US Secretary of State, reminding everyone about compassion and support.  

On this blessed occasion for Muslims around the world, may the holy month of Ramadan remind us all of the importance of shared compassion, service, and support for one another. I wish all who celebrate a #RamadanKareem. pic.twitter.com/12uAaEiGjo— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) April 23, 2020

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: UAE’s PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum extends greetings

The vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, extended Ramadan wishes to all from his official Twitter handle.

On behalf of people and residents in the UAE, I wish All around the world a blessed Ramadan. May it bring us good health, prosperity and peace. Together, we will lead our world towards the better.— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 23, 2020

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet for moon sighting

A spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs said that Pakistan’s Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is also set to meet today to sight the Ramadan moon. The meeting will be held at the Met Office in Karachi with Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman in the chair.

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: UAE moon sighting committee to meet virtually

According to reports in Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates’ “Ramadan moon-sighting committee will meet virtually on Thursday after the Maghreb prayer under the chairmanship of Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, the Minister of Justice.”

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Ramadan 2020 Moon Sighting LIVE Updates: Mosques will remain closed

Mosques will remain closed and I request people to offer prayers at their homes. I would like to appeal everyone to follow lockdown & maintain social distancing: Syed Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi, Muslim Cleric in Dehradun, Uttarakhand #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/aPJGuV0gnO— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2020