[AlAhram] The first day of the holy month of Ramadan Islamic will fall on Monday, June 6 this year in Egypt, according to astronomical calculations by scientists of Egypt’s National Research Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics.
Institute President Hatem Ouda said Sunday that the month of Ramadan will last for 30 days, MENA reported.
| There is often disagreement between Muslim scholars and astronomers about the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as the calculations about when the new moon will rise are not the only means to determine the start of the month. |
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from drinking and eating from dawn until dusk.
The length of Islamic lunar calendar months, the ninth of which is Ramadan, varies between 29 and 30 days.
There is often disagreement between Muslim scholars and astronomers about the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as the calculations about when the new moon will rise are not the only means to determine the start of the month.
On the 29th day of the previous month, Shaaban, Muslim scholars look for the new crescent in the sky after the sun sets. If they see it, the following day marks the beginning of Ramadan; if not, then Ramadan will commence the day after.
Egypt’s Grand Mufti will then announce the official beginning of Ramadan in Egypt. |