UPDATE 2 - Türkiye, Arab countries announce Saturday as 1st day of Ramadan

​​​​​​​ADDS DETAILS, REVISES DECK

By Ahmed Asmar

Türkiye and Arab countries have separately announced the sighting of the crescent moon which signals the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, with Saturday marking the first day of fasting.

The Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) of Türkiye announced the start of Ramadan, with the Muslims' first fasting day Saturday.

The Saudi Royal Court announced Friday that the Supreme Court officially declared Saturday the first day of Ramadan.

Oman's Main Committee for Ramadan Moon Sighting made a similar statement, declaring the start of the holy month.

Similar announcements by relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Algeria, Tunisia and Somalia designated Saturday as the first day of Ramadan.

In Syria, the First Sharia Judge in Damascus declared Saturday as the first day of the holy month, according to the state news agency, SANA.

The Iraqi Sunni Endowment announced that Ramadan will begin Saturday, while Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the top religious authority for Shia Muslims in Iraq, declared Sunday as the start of the holy month.

Meanwhile, Morocco announced that Ramadan's first day will be observed Sunday as the Kingdom's religious authorities confirmed the non-visibility of the crescent moon.

During Ramadan, Muslims traditionally fast from dawn to sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking and physical intimacy.

Muslims are encouraged to pray more throughout the holy month, especially at night, recite the Holy Quran, give to those in need and avoid any wrongdoing.