Sayyed Fadlallah Foundation: Ramadan to Begin August 1

The Sharia committee of Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah Foundation announced Thursday that Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Monday, August 1.

“According to accurate scientific and astronomical calculations, the astronomical birth of the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1432 A.H. will happen on Saturday, July 30 at 18:40 GMT (21:40 Beirut daylight saving time),” the foundation said in statement.

“The new moon cannot not be spotted anywhere in the world by late night Saturday, neither by the naked eye nor by telescope, which means the last day of Shaaban (the pre-Ramadan month in Islam's lunar calendar) falls on Sunday” and fasting should consequently begin at the crack of dawn on Monday, the foundation added.