Public urged to look for Ramadan crescent moon

AMMAN — Grand Mufti Mohammad Khalaileh on Sunday called on the public to look for the crescent moon (hilal) at sunset on Friday, May 26, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The crescent marks the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan.

If the sighting is confirmed, Muslims in Jordan will start fasting on Saturday; otherwise, the month will begin on Sunday. In accordance with Islam, sighting the crescent moon at dusk on the evening of the 29th of Shaban (the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar) is the only way to determine the beginning of Ramadan.