Thursday 1st Day of Ramadan in GCC

Saudi Arabia and other GCC states have announced that the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan will fall on Thursday, based on the sighting of the crescent in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced that March 23, will be the first day of Ramadan as the crescent, which marks the beginning of the holy month, could not be sighted today (March 21). Hence, tomorrow (March 22) will be the last day of the month of Sha’aban, and the next day will be Ramadan, it stated. Bahrain's moonsighting committee also confirmed Thursday as the first day of Ramadan in the kingdom. The panel, which included Shaikh Adnan bin Abdulla Al-Qattan, Dr. Shaikh Fareeed bin Yacoub Al-Meftah, Dr. Shaikh Ibrahim bin Rashid Al-Merrikhi, and Shaikh Rashid bin Hassan Al-Bouainain, met this evening at the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA)’s headquarters and said that it had not received any testimonies, reorted BNA.

On the occasion, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, members of the Royal Family, the people of Bahrain as well as the Arab and Islamic nations, wishing all of them many happy returns. Saudi Royal Court cited a statement by the Supreme Court as saying that it held a special meeting this evening to get briefed on reports sent by regional courts throughout the country on individuals' sightng the crescent of Ramadan for this year. The UAE's moonsighting committee also announced that Thursday will be the first day of Ramadan.