According to the Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP), the onset of the holy month of Muslim fasting Ramadan in most Islamic countries is expected on Saturday, July 21.
According to Muhammad Shovkat Avda, chairman of the ICOP, in most Islamic countries, the shaaban (the eighth month of the lunar Muslim calendar) began on June 21, respectively, and the observation of the Ramadan crescent will begin on Thursday, July 19, or on the 29th day of the shaaban. However, not in all countries the end of the sha'ban will occur on the indicated date. This applies to all northern and some Middle Eastern countries.
Avda notes that the new crescent moon on Ramadan will not be visible in some Muslim countries on Thursday, July 19, because the moon will rise there before the sun sets, and this will not allow observing it in the sky, even with the help of strong astronomical telescopes. In this regard, shaaban in these countries will last 30 days instead of 29, and Ramadan will begin there on July 21, Saturday. Ramadan may come a day earlier, on July 20, in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, because there a crescent moon can be seen through a telescope on Thursday. As soon as the beginning of Ramadan is announced in Saudi Arabia, all other Arab countries will also begin fasting. Thus, on Thursday, July 19th, it will be possible to see the new crescent through a telescope only in the far south in Africa and South America.
