Ramadan 2018 to begin on Thursday, May 17, moon not sighted in Saudi Arabia

The holy month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday, May 17,  after the Saudi moon-sighting committee met on Tuesday evening and were not able to sight the Ramadan crescent, according to reports.

Although Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Ramadan moves ahead in the Gregorian calendar by 10-11 days every year.  Some parts of Africa including Niger, Ghana, and others have announced seeing the moon according to reports and fasting begins today, Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Australian National Imams Council and other African countries have also declared that the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday, May 17.  Taraweeh prayers are expected to be held on Wednesday, May 16.