The crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, the moon sighting committee confirmed on Friday evening.
As a result, the holy month will commence on Saturday, March 1.
Observatories across the Kingdom, including Sudair and Tumair, reported sightings of the crescent moon, aligning with Islamic traditions for determining the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
The Supreme Council had earlier called on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to look for the Ramadan crescent on Friday evening, encouraging those who spotted it — either with the naked eye or binoculars — to report their sightings to the nearest court.
Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting committee regularly monitors the lunar cycle in the days leading up to Ramadan, but Muslims across the country were also encouraged to participate in the observation.
Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims worldwide, officially begins at dawn on Saturday.