Breaking: Ramadan fasting to begin on Thursday, May 17 - Saudi says- Saudi Arabia has declared Thursday, May 17, as the first day of Ramadan - The religious authorities in the Kingdom said the new moon of Ramadan was not spotted on Tuesday evening - Thus, the month of Shaaban will end on Wednesday, May 16, while Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday, May 17 Saudi Arabia said that the Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday, May 17, across the globe, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported on Tuesday, May 15. The new moon of Ramadan was not spotted on Tuesday evening and Wednesday will mark the last day of the Islamic month of Shaaban, SPA said, citing religious authorities in the kingdom. The beginning and end of Islamic months are determined by the sighting of the new moon. Egypt’s Mufti, the country’s top religious authority, said in a televised speech that the holy month will start on Thursday in the most populous Arab country. READ ALSO: Sultan sends message to Muslims concerning Ramadan Also, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Iraq’s Sunni Muslim minority also announced that the holy month of Ramadan will start on Thursday. During Ramadan, Muslims have to abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to sunset. Devout Muslims also mark the month by intense worship, performing special nightly prayers and reading Islam’s holy book, the Koran. Fasting is one of Islam’s five pillars, alongside declaration of monotheism, prayer five times a day, alms-giving, and the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the sum of N63.5 million was approved by the governor of Yobe state, Ibrahim Gaidam, for providing Ramadan feeding for the less privileged, The development was made public in a statement released by the governor’s director general of press affairs, Abdullahi Bego. The money would also reportedly cover the conduct of Tafsir during the Ramadan months. Bego disclosed that the free feeding would be in 42 centers across the state’s 17 local government areas. Eid-el-Kabir: Why the ram killed must not exceed three days in your house - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - Saudi Arabia has declared Thursday, May 17, as the first day of Ramadan - The religious authorities in the Kingdom said the new moon of Ramadan was not spotted on Tuesday evening - Thus, the month of Shaaban will end on Wednesday, May 16, while Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday, May 17 READ ALSO: PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng