Ramadan to begin Monday

Arabian moon observers said that there was no sight of the Ramadan crescent on Saturday, meaning millions of Muslims around the world will begin the holy month on Monday. The Islamic world follows a lunar calendar, and the traditional moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart

This year, Ramadan will fall on long summer days for Muslims in the Northern Hemisphere. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five obligatory pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, annual charity – known as “zakat” – and performing the Hajj pilgrimage.