July 19, 2012
Muslims to Welcome Ramadan Tonight, Probably
At sundown tonight, Muslims the world over will welcome Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
The ninth month of Islam's lunar calendar, Ramadan is believed to be the month in which the Quran was revealed. During Ramadan, which begins with the new crescent moon, observant Muslims refrain from food, water and sexual relations between dawn and dusk.
Exactly when the holy month begins, however, is a matter of annual debate.
Ramadan technically begins only when Islamic authorities in each country announce that the new crescent moon has been seen. Despite astronomers' ability to accurately predict when the moon will appear, most Islamic scholars insist that confirmed reports of actual sightings are necessary in order to declare the beginning of Ramadan.
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