Ramadan starts on July 20, says senior scholar

Jeddah - 07 July 2012: The month of fasting this year will begin on July 20 and the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr will be on Aug. 19, according to a senior Islamic scholar in the Kingdom.

Member of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manie said fasting will end on Saturday Aug. 18.

The days related to religious occasions and rites will have to be confirmed by the sighting of the new moon and royal orders.

Al-Manie added the Day of Arafat will be on Thursday Oct. 25 and the next Hijra year of 1434 will start on Nov. 15.

The tradition of the last 15 years of announcing the likely beginning of Ramadan, Eid and the Haj is to help preparations to view the new moon once the statement is made, the scholar said.

The announcement also allows sufficient time to discuss matters related to the sighting of the new moon, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

Al-Manie said: "The sun will set on the 29th day of Shawwal (the 10th Hijra month following Ramadan) corresponding to Oct. 9 at 6:23 p.m., five minutes before the moon will set at 6:28 p.m."

The first day of Dhul Qaadah (11th Hijra month) will be Monday Sept. 17 while Dhul Hijjah will start on Oct. 17. Eid Al-Adha will be on Oct. 26, he said.

source: Arab News