First Day of Ramadan 2018 in Saudi Arabia Announced | ExpatWoman.com
 

First Day of Ramadan 2018 in Saudi Arabia Announced

The Kingdom will observe the first day of the Holy Month this Thursday

Posted on

15 May 2018

Last updated on 25 February 2019
by Rebecca Roberts
First Day of Ramadan 2018 in Saudi Arabia

It has been confirmed that the Holy Month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia will begin on Thursday, 17th May.

Official reports have confirmed the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia following the failure to sight the crescent moon on Tuesday evening.

According to news channel Aletihad, the crescent moon could not be sighted in several regions across the Kingdom, including Sudair and Shukra, meaning that Wednesday, 18th May will be the 30th day of Shaaban, and the first day of Ramadan will begin on Thursday.

This means that the month of Sha'aban will end on or around Thursday, 14th June, 2017. This will then be followed by Eid Al Fitr, marked by the new moon at the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

Of course, the Hijri calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and so the last day of Ramadan may alter slightly depending on the sighting of the moon closer to the time.

Things to know about Ramadan

  • The Holy Month of Ramadan is a special month in the Islamic calendar, as it is when Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset, for 30 days.
  • The act of fasting is known as ‘sawm’, and is one of the five pillars of Islam that Muslims follow.
  • The word ‘Ramadan’ itself comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness.
  • During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from consuming foods, liquids, smoking and engaging in intimate relations.
  • Fasting is mandatory for adult Muslims, except for those who have an illness, are travelling, the elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or menstruating.
  • Non-Muslims may join in the giving nature of the Holy Month through charitable and community efforts in their communities.