CAIRO – Muslims in North America will welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Wednesday, May 16, according to astronomical calculations.
“Therefore the first day of Ramadan 1439 is on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, insha’Allah. First Tarawih prayer will be on Tuesday night,” reads a statement from the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) obtained by AboutIslam.net.
The Muslim body said the Ramadan moon will be born on May 15.
“The Astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 11:47 Universal Time,” FCNA statement added.
“On that day, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean at sunset, the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun.”
Quoting FCNA, the umbrella Muslim group,Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), also confirmed the beginning of Ramadan on May 16, sharing FCNA statement published on its website.
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.
Your Guide to Revival in Ramadan