The Islamic month of Ramadan is set to start on Saturday 27 May in Egypt, the country's National Astronomy and Geophysics Institute announced on Thursday.

 

The head of the institute Hatem Aouda said on Thursday that the crescent of Ramadan, whose sighting commences the holy month, will not be seen on 25 May, making 26 May the day that coincides with the end of the eighth month of the Islamic calender Shaaban, according to the state-owned MENA news agency.

If the crescent is visible on the 29th day of Shaaban, the following day marks the beginning of Ramadan; if not, then Ramadan will commence the day after.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims abstain from drinking and eating from dawn until dusk.

Eid Al-Fitr, or 'the feast to break the fast,' is a three-day religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

        Source: Ahram online