Ramadan to Start Friday in Middle East

[Khephra]

CAIRO, Egypt -- Leading clerics in many countries of the Middle East didn't spot a new moon on Wednesday, meaning that the four weeks of dawn-to-dusk fasting in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan will begin Friday, local news media reported.

Reports from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Egypt all said the Ramadan fast would begin at daybreak Friday.

Iraqis fear an escalation in violence during Ramadan. Last year, insurgents sharply increased attacks on U.S. and coalition forces during the holy month. Militants believe they win a special place in paradise if they die in a jihad, or holy war, during Ramadan.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-mideast-ramadan,0,2341427.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[ogradda]

1. o neat

they really needed another reason to get pissy <not>

[Mr2005]

2. Thanks Sister

I am Muslim and Ramadhan will start tomorrow (Happy Ramadhan ) I Fear that US Army will not stop attacking Iraq in this holy month.
Sallam ..


this pic from last year ! American Gift for Iraqs ( in ramadhan )
"feel ashamed"
( God Help Iraqis )

[RivetJoint]

4. I fear the

insurgents will not stop attacking either.

[PsychoDad]

5. Rammadan Mubarak

Asalaam Alikum, and Marhaban - Welcome to DU.

A blessed Rammadan to you and your family, Brother.

[Charles19]

6. Rammadan Mubarak

wa alaikum assalam.

A blessed Rammadan to you as well.

[Mike Daniels]

9. If the insurrectionists don't stop attacking ( history shows they won't)

why should the coalition forces?

[woofless]

3. Ramadan will be observed all over Earth.

Not just the ME.

[Charles19]

7. In U.S. it might start on Saturday instead of Friday

Astronomical calculations indicate there is a possibility the start day will be different here in the U.S.

http://www.hilal-sighting.com/

[Maeve]

8. There is variance in determining the start of the month

Found this:
"Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The much-anticipated start of the month is based on a combination of physical sightings of the moon and astronomical calculations. The practice varies from place to place, some places relying heavily on sighting reports and others totally on calculations. In the United States, most communities follow the decision of the Islamic Society of North America, which accepts bonafide sightings of the new moon anywhere in the United States as the start of the new month. The end of the month, marked by the celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, is similarly determined."
http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/MSA/events/Ramadan.html

Plus, that is the correct title for the linked article