Ramadan Starts May 6 in North America, Europe

Muslims in North America will welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Monday, May 6, according to astronomical calculations.

“First day of Ramadan 1440 is on Monday, May 6, 2019,” reads a statement from the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) obtained by Science & Faith.

The Muslim body said the Ramadan moon would be born on May 5.

“The Astronomical New Moon is on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 22:47 Universal Time. On that day, there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore Ramadan cannot start on the next day,” FCNA statement added.

FCNA uses the criteria of European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at the sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and moon should be at least 5 degrees above horizon.

If these conditions are met, the new crescent will be visible somewhere on earth. Hence the new lunar month will start the next day, otherwise it will start on the day following next day.

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, and good deeds.

It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.

Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.