RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court on Friday called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to look for the Shawwal crescent on the evening of Thursday, Ramadan 29, corresponding to April 20. The Supreme Court urged those who sight the crescent with the naked eye or through binoculars to inform their nearest court to register their testimony there or contact the nearest town center so that it can inform the nearest court. The Supreme Court hopes that whoever has the interest in the crescent sighting would join the committees formed in various regions for this purpose, seeking reward from God as this is an act representing cooperation in righteousness and piety, benefitting all Muslims. It is noteworthy that the holy month of Ramadan started in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as well as in most of the Arab and Muslim countries on March 23 after completing 30 days of Sha'ban. This was in the event of not sighting the crescent moon on Sha'ban 29. The Supreme Court stated then that the sighting of the crescent of Ramadan had not been testified by anyone and therefore March 22 Wednesday would be the 30th day of the month of Sha'ban, according to the Umm Al-Qura Calendar, and March 23 Thursday would be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. The Saudi astronomical observatories, in addition to dozens of telescopes and hundreds of those interested in astronomy, were unable to sight the crescent though they made all the preparations to look for the new moon of Ramadan.
