Saudi Supreme Court calls on Muslims to sight Ramadan crescent this evening

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the Crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan today, Sunday evening, Shaaban 29, 1437 AH, corresponding to June 05, 2016. Saudi Press Agency, SPA, reported that in an announcement, the Supreme Court also called on whoever sees the Crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan by naked eyes or through binoculars to report to the nearest court and register his testimony, or report to the authority of the region's centre in his area where he sighted the Crescent in order to facilitate his reaching to the nearest court. Meanwhile, Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, in a resolution, said the committee to sight the Crescent will meet after Maghreb prayers today at the judicial Department in Abu Dhabi. The resolution stipulates that all courts in the UAE have to mark the new moon of Ramadan and provide proof. Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director, International Astronomical Center, said Islamic countries would observe the Crescent on Sunday evening. He said the moon would be out after sunset and it would be possible to sight the Crescent using a telescope. However, it would be possible to see the Crescent with naked eye only in parts of America, and parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, he added. Odeh expected most Islamic countries to begin Ramadan on Monday. He added that in the Islamic countries that rely on sighting the moon with the naked eye, will begin fasting on Tuesday. According to astronomical calculations, Monday is the first of Ramadan 1437 Hijri, and fasting will complete 30 days later on 1 Shawwal (Eid), Wednesday, July 6.   Emirates247