Celebration of Ramadan moon-sighting cancelled

CAIRO – 26 May 2017: A big celebration on occasion of the moon-sighting to determine the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan has cancelled on Friday following the Minya terrorist attack, announced Dar al-Iftaa, Egypt's official institution tasked with drafting Islamic fatwas.

Grand Mufti Shawki Allam will announce the results of the moon-sighting for Ramadan’s crescent this evening, according to Dar al-Iftaa’s Friday statement. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender when Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset.

Twenty-eight people were killed and at least 25 others injured after unknown gunmen opened fire at the bus, which was carrying more than 40 Coptic Christians, on Friday along Western Desert Road.

The National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysics Research will send 15 delegations to different locations across the country for the moon-sighting with delegates from Al-Azhar Institute.

Saudi authorities announced that Saturday will witness the start of the holy month Ramadan, adding that citizens will fast for 29 days.