Astronomical Institute Determines the First Day of Ramadan in Egypt

The Astronomical Research Institute announced that next Monday will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt. The head of the institute, Jad El-Qadi, stated that according to the astronomical calculations conducted by the Solar Research Lab, the Ramadan crescent will be born immediately after the conjunction occurring at 11 AM Cairo time on Sunday. Therefore, the beginning of Ramadan will astronomically be next Monday. He mentioned that the new crescent will remain visible for 14 minutes after sunset on the same day, which is the sighting day in Cairo, and it will last between 13 to 15 minutes in other governorates across the country, indicating that the holy month will comprise a full 30 days. The Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta had set the date for the crescent sighting of Ramadan after sunset next Sunday, explaining that if the sighting is not confirmed by the naked eye on the designated observation day, then the month of Sha'ban should be completed with 30 days. Meanwhile, astronomical predictions suggest that this year's fasting month will last for 30 days.