Holy month of Ramadan starts from today in most Arab countries

Dubai - 20 July 2012: The holy month of Ramadan will begin from Friday in most Arab countries, religious authorities announced on Thursday.

Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, as well as Lebanon's Sunni Muslims, were among those to announce a Friday start.

Based on testimonies reported to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia by witnesses to the sighting of the moon, the country's Royal Court announced the beginning of fasting period.

In the UAE, the Ramadan moon sighting Committee announced that Friday is the first day of the month of Ramadan.

In Bahrain, Supreme Islamic Affairs Council Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al-Khalifa announced that Friday would mark the beginning of Ramadan in the country.

Similar reports have come from Qatar and Kuwait.

But in Oman and Syria as well as for Iraq's Sunni Muslims and in non Arab Iran it will start on Saturday.

(Agencies)