CAIRO – Muslims in North America will welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Monday, June 6, according to astronomical calculations.

“[The] first day of Ramadan will be Thursday, June 6, 2016,” reads a statement by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) obtained by AboutIslam.net.

The Muslim body said the Ramadan moon will be born on June 5.

The Astronomical New Moon is on Sunday, June 5, 2016, at 3:00 Universal Time (6:00 am Makkah time),” FQNA statement added.

“Sunset at Makkah on June 5 is at 7:01 pm, while moonset is at 7:23 pm. Moon is born before sunset in Makkah and moonset is after sunset. Therefore, first day of Ramadan 1437 is on Monday, June 6, 2016, insha’Allah.”

Quoting FCNA, the umbrella Islamic Society of North America also confirmed the beginning of Ramadan on June 6, sharing FQNA statement published on the association’s website.

Last Ramadan, ISNA launched Green Masjid Task Force campaign to encourage mosques and Islamic centers in the US to make their Ramadan more environmentally friendly.

The campaign suggests adopting five practices for this Ramadan including conserving food this Ramadan by giving excess food the people in need.

It also encourages Muslims to, “use biodegradable products for iftars and not Styrofoam cups and plates.”

“Recycle material, especially plastic water bottles and replace all light bulbs with energy saver bulbs and thus conserve electricity.”

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.