Saudi Arabia to mark Ramadan from Sunday: TV

Holy Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, will begin on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television channel reported on Friday. Citing the authorities, it said that because the crescent moon was unable to be seen with the naked eye on Friday, Ramadan would begin on Sunday. According to tradition, it is the sighting with the naked eye of the new moon that signals the start of Holy Ramadan. Other Gulf monarchies, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates also said Ramadan will start in their countries on Sunday. Yemen’s religious authorities said in a statement that fasting would begin on Saturday. During this month, the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The fast is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam, according to private TV channels.