Riyadh: Ramadan fasting will commence for all Gulf countries except Oman on Monday after the Saudi Arabian Supreme Court declared the new moon was sighted in the Sudair and Thumair regions on Sunday.

The month-long fasting will begin for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain on Monday. Since Oman is yet to see the new moon, the 30th of Shaaban will be completed on Monday and fasting will commence on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims around the world as a month of fasting. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts around a month, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next, when Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated.