Muslims attend a mass prayer session 'Tarawih' marking the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in a mosque in Makassar of Indonesia's South Sulawesi province. REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad
The Saudi Higher Court said Thursday (local time) was the final day of the lunar month of Shaaban, and that Friday would be the first day of Ramadan. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites.
Similar official announcements were made by religious authorities in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Yemen.
The Syrian government announced that the first day of Ramadan will be Saturday, but the opposition said it was Friday.
The beginning and end of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the new moon. During Ramadan, devout Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset.
