Today (18) marks the beginning of Ramadan for many Arab and Islamic nations, though some will start fasting tomorrow (19).

The holy month, the ninth of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed with fasting, prayer, and reflection.

Saudi Arabia announced that the new moon of Ramadan was sighted last evening, making today the first day of fasting.

Similarly, religious authorities in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti confirmed that Wednesday will be the first day of Ramadan.

Iraq’s Sunni Endowment Diwan and Iraqi Shiite religious authorities also declared Wednesday as the start of Ramadan.

Yemen’s Houthi group announced fasting would begin in areas under its control on Wednesday. In Lebanon, Sunni Muslims will observe Ramadan starting Wednesday, according to Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian.

However, Egypt will begin fasting on Thursday, as the new moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening, according to Egypt’s Mufti Nazir Ayyad. Similarly, religious authorities in Jordan, Syria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Tunisia, and Malaysia announced Thursday as the first day of Ramadan.

In countries like Türkiye, Oman, Singapore, and Australia, authorities confirmed the start of Ramadan based on astronomical calculations, with fasting beginning on Thursday. Morocco plans to sight the moon on Wednesday to determine the official start of the month.