The Dar al-Ifta in Tripoli announced that tomorrow, Wednesday, is the last day of Sha'ban, and that Thursday is the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH, after the crescent moon could not be seen this evening, Tuesday, in Libyan cities and regions.

The announcement came during a ceremony held at its headquarters after Maghrib prayers, attended by the head of the Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dabaiba, and a number of ministers and officials.

The announcement came after receiving reports from the investigation and monitoring committees, as well as testimonies from citizens regarding the sighting of the crescent moon of the blessed month of Ramadan by the main committee in the joint investigation chamber formed by members of the Dar al-Ifta and the Supreme Judicial Council.

Ramadan crescent sighting in eastern Libya

In the eastern region, the Crescent and Timing Investigation Committee of the Supreme Fatwa Committee of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in the government appointed by the House of Representatives announced on Tuesday that it would go out after sunset on Wednesday to investigate whether the crescent of Ramadan had been sighted for the year 1447 AH.

The Libyan News Agency quoted sources in the Supreme Fatwa Committee as saying that Tuesday corresponds to the 28th of Sha'ban 1447 AH, according to the calendar based on the committee's sighting of the crescent moon for the current month.

The Ruya Foundation for Space Sciences and Applications predicted that it will be impossible to sight the crescent moon of the blessed month of Ramadan in all regions of Libya this evening, Tuesday, whether with the naked eye or even using the latest scientific and modern observation methods, while it will be possible to sight it on Wednesday evening, making Thursday the first day of Ramadan.

Announcement of the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon

The Saudi Royal Court and the Crescent Moon Sighting Committee of the Qatari Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs announced that tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan.

Several Islamic countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, announced on Tuesday that the first day of Ramadan will be Thursday, as the crescent moon was not sighted. Other countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, announced that today is the 28th of Sha'ban and that tomorrow they will announce the first day of the holy month, which will be either Thursday, February 19, or Friday, February 20.