Public urged to observe Ramadan crescent moon on May 5

AMMAN — Grand Mufti Mohammad Khalaileh on Tuesday called on the public to look for the crescent moon (hilal) at sunset on Sunday, May 5, 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 Monday; otherwise, the month will begin on Tuesday.

In accordance with Islam, the 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.