Public urged to look for Ramadan crescent moon

AMMAN — Grand Mufti Mohammad Khalaileh on Tuesday called on the public to look for the crescent moon (hilal) at sunset on Wednesday, March 22, 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 Thursday; otherwise, the month will begin on Friday. In accordance with Islam, the sighting of the crescent moon at dusk on the evening of the 29th of Shaban (the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar) is the sole way to determine the beginning of Ramadan.