Islamic authorities in Indonesia said the first day of Ramadan will begin Thursday, as millions of faithful in the world's most-populous Muslim-majority country began marking the holy month with fasting and prayers.
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Wednesday evening declared that Islamic astronomy observers teams from several of the country's regions had sighted the crescent moon, the official start of Ramadan. Shortly after, worshippers flooded mosques to offer evening prayers.
Clerics across the Mideast said the moon was not visible Tuesday night, meaning it will almost certainly appear the following evening. The fasting is aimed at bringing the faithful closer to God and reminding them of the suffering of the poor. Muslims are expected to strictly observe daily prayers and engage in heightened religious contemplation. They are also urged to refrain from gossip, fighting or cursing during the holy month.
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