Mumba/New Delhi:The moon sighting committees across India are busy in meetings to confirm the reports of the new moon to announce the first day of Ramadan. By 08:00 p.m., according to the reports coming from some places, the new moon could not be seen despite clear sky.
An official announcement when the holy month of Ramadan will begin in India is expected in few hours time.
So far, reports from Malegaon said the new moon could not be seen despite clear sky. In Nanded, locals said there are clouds everywhere and there is no possibility of the moon sighting.
Reports coming from Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra also said that despite clear sky, the new moon of the holy month was not seen.
Reports from Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana do not confirm moon sighting from any place.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have already announced that the first day of Ramadan in these countries would be Sunday.
America and other neighbouring countries have already started fasting from Saturday.
Islamic calendar is based on lunar system, and beginning of the new month is decided by sighting of the new moon on 29th of the ongoing month. If the new moon is sighted on 29th, the next day is counted as first day of the new month otherwise it is treated as 30th day of the ongoing month.
In almost every part of the world, Muslims make special arrangements for sighting of new moon. Moon sighting committees are also functional in Muslim and non-Muslim countries to verify moon sighting reports and decide the beginning of the new moon.
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