Gulf Arabs start Ramadan

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, starts the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan today along with most fellow Gulf Arab states, state media reported yesterday. Senior religious councils in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said the crescent moon was sighted after nightfall, signalling the start of Ramadan.

Oman said it would mark the start of Ramadan tomorrow.

Libya earlier announced that Ramadan would begin today and the state news agency quoted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi late on Thursday as suggesting that Muslims should take their cue from "Libya's correct Islam". "People in Arab and Muslim countries are turning to Libya to know when Ramadan begins and ends because Libya is the state that observes the correct Islam without sects," said Muammar Gaddafi, quoted by Jana.

The timing of Ramadan, when the faithful fast from dawn until dusk, can vary in different Muslim countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.

Businesses and offices reduce opening hours during the day and often open in the evenings.