The crescent moon marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan was sighted in the country’s skies on Wednesday. As a result, fasting will commence nationwide on Thursday.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the conference room of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram. The meeting was chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad of the newly formed BNP government.

According to the committee’s decision, the month of Ramadan will officially begin on Thursday, February 19. With the moon sighted, devout Muslims will offer Tarawih prayers tonight and begin fasting after having Sehri before dawn on Thursday.

Earlier, on Tuesday, the moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia and several Middle Eastern countries, leading them to start fasting on Wednesday. Muslims in many parts of the world are observing Ramadan in line with Saudi Arabia.