VOICE AIR MEDIA, VAM News Update
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic affairs authorities announced March 11 as the first day of Ramadan 2024.
The decision comes after the country’s special moon-sighting committee announced that the crescent was visible during the sighting tonight, meaning tomorrow should be the first day of Ramadan in the Gulf country.
Ramadan is expected to last for 30 days in Saudi Arabia, unlike in Morocco, where Muslims will fast for only 29 days this year.
Ramadan customs, especially food served during iftar differ from one country to another. But Islamic rituals remain the same, including charities also called Zakat in Arabic, as well as religious customs.
During Ramadan, Muslims perform extra prayers following isha or night prayers every day throughout the holy month.
Streets, especially in the Middle East are fully adorned with lights and lamps in the shape of the moon or fanous, a traditional lantern used to decorate stress in homes during the holy month. Fanous are more common in Egypt.
According to the government website Visit Saudi, this tradition takes place on the 13th, 14th or the 15th day of Ramadan.
“Sometimes compared to Halloween, Gargee’an is marked by ‘children dressing up in traditional attire, going door to door, singing traditional songs and getting sweets from their neighbors,’” Visit Saudi Arabia quoted Firas Al Rkhayes, an Arabic language teacher, as saying.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic affairs authorities announced March 11 as the first day of Ramadan 2024.
The decision comes after the country’s special moon-sighting committee announced that the crescent was visible during the sighting tonight, meaning tomorrow should be the first day of Ramadan in the Gulf country.
Ramadan is expected to last for 30 days in Saudi Arabia, unlike in Morocco, where Muslims will fast for only 29 days this year.
Ramadan customs, especially food served during iftar differ from one country to another. But Islamic rituals remain the same, including charities also called Zakat in Arabic, as well as religious customs.
During Ramadan, Muslims perform extra prayers following isha or night prayers every day throughout the holy month.
Streets, especially in the Middle East are fully adorned with lights and lamps in the shape of the moon or fanous, a traditional lantern used to decorate stress in homes during the holy month. Fanous are more common in Egypt.
According to the government website Visit Saudi, this tradition takes place on the 13th, 14th or the 15th day of Ramadan.
“Sometimes compared to Halloween, Gargee’an is marked by ‘children dressing up in traditional attire, going door to door, singing traditional songs and getting sweets from their neighbors,’” Visit Saudi Arabia quoted Firas Al Rkhayes, an Arabic language teacher, as saying.
Message from President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III…
Meanwhile, The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Muslims across the nation to search for the 2024 (1445 AH) Ramadan moon starting from Sunday.
Prof. Salisu Shehu, the Deputy Secretary General of NSCIA, conveyed this directive on Friday in a statement. Sultan Abubakar extended his felicitations to the entire Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming 1445 AH Ramadan Fast.
The council invoked prayers for Allah to spare the lives of all Muslims, enabling them to partake in the ibaadah exercise and derive maximum benefits from it. Quoting a verse from the Glorious Qur’an, Shehu highlighted the significance of Ramadan as a period of guidance and reflection.
In adherence to the advice of the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General urged Nigerian Muslims to scan the skies for the crescent of Ramadan 1445 AH immediately after sunset on Sunday, 10th March 2024, equivalent to 29th Sha’aban 1445 AH.
Should the crescent be sighted by individuals of impeccable character, Sultan Abubakar would declare Monday, 11th March 2024, as the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH. However, if the crescent remains unseen, Tuesday, 12th March 2024, will automatically mark the beginning of Ramadan, 1445 AH.
Furthermore, amidst prevailing economic hardships, the council implored affluent Muslims to extend acts of charity to the less privileged within their communities before, during, and after the holy month of Ramadan. Additionally, traders were cautioned against hoarding food supplies or unjustly inflating prices during the fasting period.
The Muslim community was also urged to utilise the sacred month of Ramadan to fervently pray for the liberation of Palestinians from oppression, seeking Allah’s divine support.
The Council urged Muslims nationwide to vigilantly watch for the Ramadan crescent on the night of Sunday, 10th March 2024, and await the official announcement by Sultan Abubakar regarding the commencement of the 1445 AH Ramadan fast.
“We wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts all over the world happy Ramadan in advance,” Shehu said.