Ramadan to begin on May 27, says scholar

The fasting month of Ramadan will start this year on Saturday, May 27, and will last for 29 days, local daily Al-Madina reported on Tuesday, quoting a statement by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Sulaiman Al-Manie, member of the Council of Senior Scholars.

Al-Manie said the month of Shaaban, which precedes Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, would have 30 days.

The Eid Al-Fitr will fall on Sunday, June 25, with the fasting month ending on Saturday, June 24, he said.

The scholar’s statement was based on astronomical calculations for the beginning and end of Islamic months for Makkah.

According to Al-Manie, the month of Haj this year will be of 29 days and will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

“Accordingly, the Arafat Day, marking the climax of the pilgrimage, will be on Thursday, Aug. 31, and the Eid Al-Adha will be on Friday, Sept. 1,” he said.