March 10, 2024 09:33 pm | Updated 10:56 pm IST - DUBAI, United Arab EmiratesOfficials saw the crescent moon on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, marking the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan for many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims. Saudi state television reported authorities there saw the crescent moon. However, there are some Asian countries, like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, that will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent moon. This year's Ramadan comes as West Asia remains inflamed by Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month cycles through the seasons and the months in the Gregorian calendar.

Source: The Hindu March 10, 2024 19:02 UTC