Ramadan officially begins in Saudi Arabia Thursday, as millions of Muslims in the Kingdom and around the world prepare for a month of fasting, which is intended to bring Muslims closer to Allah and remind them of those less fortunate.
The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so each year, the date of Ramadan shifts.
Observers look for the Ramadan Crescent.
The start of Ramadan begins with the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon, but bad weather this year in Saudi Arabia stymied efforts by officials.
One of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan commemorates the Quran first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad; a moment honored with abstinence from food and drink. The other pillars include the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, annual charity — known as “zakat” — and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
News magazine Forbes, in a Ramadan greeting, published an interesting graphic featuring average fasting durations based on location around the world for those observing the holy month.
The SUSTG Team wishes all of our readers and friends a blessed Ramadan.
