Dubai: Saturday will be the first day of Ramadan across the Gulf region, the UAE's official Moon Sighting Committee has announced.
The fasting month will begin in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other countries in the Gulf region on August 22, a Kuwait News Agency report confirmed.
"The Moon Sighting Committee oversees the sighting of the new moon and uses all required preparations as well as technical capabilities that aid those with experience in announcing the sight of the new moon," the committee said in a statement.
The Islamic calendar follows a lunar calendar and a full moon cycle signifies the completion of a lunar month. Muslims across the world observe fast and offer special prayers during the month of Ramadan.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, August 21, 2009, 09:23