Muslim nations announce start of Ramadan in shadow of Gaza war

Political and religious leaders call for end to suffering of Palestinians caught in conflict

The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan has begun, Saudi Arabia and other Middle East nations announced, against the backdrop of a devastating war in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's holiest sites, said through its official SPA news agency on March 10 that the Supreme Court had announced "Monday, March 11, 2024, the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan for this year".

Speaking as custodian of Islam's two holiest sites, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud gave thanks in his Ramadan message on the evening of March 10 for the "blessings bestowed upon the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", but noted that the war in Gaza would cast a shadow over the month of fasting and prayer.

"As we witness the arrival of Ramadan this year, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the ongoing suffering of our Palestinian brothers facing relentless aggression," he said. "We call upon the international community to uphold its responsibilities to put an end to these heinous crimes and ensure the establishment of safe humanitarian and relief corridors."

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

After the sighting of the crescent moon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also announced a March 11 start for Ramadan through their own official news outlets.

Egypt's Islamic advisory body, the Dar al-Ifta, also confirmed that Ramadan would begin on March 11, as it would in the Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, and in Algeria and Tunisia.