Dubai: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirate (UAE), Kuwait and the neighboring Gulf Nations will start Ramadan - the holy month of fasting from Friday.

"Ramadan is to be observed in the UAE starting Friday", Gulf News said in its online report.

"Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait are also to begin Ramadan on Friday", it added.

"Oman is to begin on Saturday", it said.

Saudi Arabia's leading English daily also confirmed starting of the month of Ramadan in the country from Friday. "Friday, July the 20th, declared official start of Ramadan", it said.

The Saudi TV Channel has also begun broadcasting the traweeh prayers - the special prayers offered in Ramadan, live from the Holy Mosque of Makkah from Thursday night.

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar system and beginning of a month is decided with sighting of the moon crescent.

Indian and the other South Asian countries will see the moon crescent on Friday. Based on which beginning of Ramadan in these countries will be decided.  
 

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Ramadan around the world

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Ramadan Impact

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Picture of the Day

Muslims go to Makkah al Mukarrema in Saudi Arabia for Umrah entire year other than Haj times. However, during Ramadan, number of Umrah visitors increases manifold. According to a rough estimate, over 2.5 million Muslims come from across the world to Makkah al Mukarrema for Umrah during Ramadan.

(Photo: ummid.com)