LIVE | Ramadan 2021 Saudi Arabia Moon Sighting: Ramadan begins Tuesday in Saudi

A cleric looks through binoculars to spot the new moon that signals the start of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramzan.

Ramadan also known as Ramazan, Ramzan, or Ramadhan, is the holiest time of the year for Muslims around the world and it is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this observance Muslims around the world observe fasts (sawm) from dawn (suhoor) to dusk (iftar), consuming not even a drop of water or a grain of food until they hear the call to prayer (azaan/adhaan) for the evening prayers, Maghrib. The festival goes on for around 29-30 days and ends with a grand celebration namely Eid-al-Fitr, during which the fasting Muslims engage in lots of feasting. Since the beginning of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, and after it is sighted in Saudi Arabia, the rest of the world follows. While some countries observe along with Saudi, depending on the moon sighting, others follow a day later, like majority of India. The crescent moon for Ramadan 2021 was not sighted in Saudi yesterday, and scores of Muslims across the world, and in India, are anticipating to see the moon to herald the holiest time in the year according to Islam. The first day of fasting for the holy month is determined by the sighting of the new moon. And that is likely to be Tuesday, April 13, according to Al Jazeera. Muslims around the globe spend this time reflecting, praying, fasting and engaging in charity. It was in Ramadan that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the essence of this month is to practice self restraint, give to those less fortunate and become one with Allah.