Ramadan could begin on March 1, according to Shiite Supreme Council

The Shiite Supreme Council, the highest authority for the Shiite community in Lebanon, called on Muslims to observe the crescent moon announcing the beginning of the month of Ramadan on Friday evening, Feb. 28, stating that if the crescent is spotted, Ramadan will begin on Saturday, March 1, for the Shiites. Faithful who spot the moon are asked to inform the Council.

A similar announcement was made on Monday by Dar al-Fatwa, the highest Sunni religious authority in the country. The Grand Mufti, Abdellatif Derian, stated that he would consult with Sunni dignitaries from Arab countries to confirm the start date of Ramadan. Last week, the office of Shiite dignitary Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah announced that the first day of the month of Ramadan will fall on March 1, in a statement addressed to his followers.

The month of Ramadan corresponds to the ninth lunar month of the Islamic year and commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel. This holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the declaration of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage to Mecca. During Ramadan, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sexual relations from dawn to sunset. The fast is broken each day with the iftar. The month of Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, the "festival of breaking the fast."