Crescent not seen in Middle East countries, Ramadan from Thursday

ABU DHABI: Gulf countries announced that Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday. March 23 was declared as the beginning of Ramadan month as the crescent moon wasn't sighted at the observatory in Tham, Saudi Arabia. The moon was also not sighted at the main observatories in Thumair and Sudair. In addition to Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain also start the month of Ramadan on Thursday. In Oman, Ramadan will be declared on Wednesday.

The Saudi Supreme Court had announced that the crescent moon should be observed on Tuesday. The instruction was to inform the concerned centres if the moon is sighted through observation devices or with the naked eyes. But despite observing at various centers using telescopes, it wasn't visible.