The holy Muslim month of Ramadan begins in The Gambia on Wednesday following Tuesday’s announcement by the Supreme Islamic Council to that effect.
The SIC are the body responsible for regulating worship and coordinates the sighting of the moon by Muslim in the country to signal the advent of the holy month.
Ramadan is the month-long dawn to dusk fasting by Muslims around the world in suppliication to God and involves prayers, recitations of the holy quran and charitable deeds throughout the period.
In a statement late on Tuesday, the supreme Islamic council said it had conducted what it called a through verification process and could confirm that the moon was sighted in Brikama Jalabang, 44km south of the Gambian capital Banjul.
”This information was conveyed to the Imam of Brikama, Alh Sankung Touray” the SIC statement added.
According to the council, there were moon sightings in countries in the region such as Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, and the Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
Ramadan ends with the eid-ul fitr communal prayers and religious festive celebrating the completion of fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam.
WN/as/APA