23 Apr, 18:24 (IST)

The crescent moon was not sighted in Australia and New Zealand. While the Muslim community in New Zealand will begin the Ramadan fasting from April 25, Australian Muslims are in dilemma over the moon sighting. As the moon has not been sighted, the National Hila Committee of Australia has asserted that Ramzan will start from April 25. However, prior to the moon sighting, the Grand Mufti of Australia had announced that Ramadan in the country will begin from April 24.

23 Apr, 17:07 (IST)

There is a confusion in Australia as the moon has not been sighted in the country. If one goes by the moon sighting, then Ramadan will begin from April 25 and not tomorrow as the moon remained invisible this evening. However, the Grand Mufti of Australia has announced that Ramadan in the country will begin from April 24.

23 Apr, 16:29 (IST)

The moon remains invisible in New Zealand this evening. Therefore, Ramdan will not start tomorrow. In New Zealand, Ramzan fasting will begin from Saturday (April 25).

23 Apr, 15:46 (IST)

The Ramadan moon has not been sighted in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Alice Springs, Darwin, Wyong and Canberra. For those who go by the moon sighting, Ramadan will begin from April 25 in Australia. The crescent moon remains invisible in New Zealand as well.

23 Apr, 14:37 (IST)

The moon has not been sighted in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Wyong and Canberra. For those who go by the moon sighting, Ramadan will begin from April 25 in Australia. As the moon was not sighted today, Shabaan month will complete 30 days.

23 Apr, 14:10 (IST)

The moon is not sighted in several cities of Australia. According to reports, the moon remains invisible in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Wyong and Canberra. Going by this, Ramadan in Australia should begin from April 25. However, the Grand Mufti of Australia has announced that Ramadan in the country will begin from April 24.

23 Apr, 13:48 (IST)

The moon was not sighted in New Zealand today. Hence, tomorrow will be 30th Shabaan and Ramadan month will begin from April 25.

23 Apr, 09:32 (IST)

The Grand Mufti of Australia has announced that Ramadan in the country will begin from April 24. Hence, Muslims in Australia will start fasting from tomorrow.

23 Apr, 08:54 (IST)

Muslims in Australia and New Zealand will attempt to sight the moon this evening. If the moon is sighted, it will mark the start of Ramadan 2020.

Sydney/Wellington, April 23: Muslims in Australia and New Zealand will attempt to sight the moon this evening to mark the start of Ramadan 2020. The sighting of the moon on the 29th of an ongoing month, under the Islamic lunar calendar, marks the beginning of a new month. Muslims in Australia and New Zealand will observe 29th of Shabaan today and the sighting of the crescent moon this evening will fix a date for the start of Ramadan. Catch live updates on the Ramadan moon sighting in Australia and New Zealand here. Ramadan 2020: What is Permitted And Not Allowed For Muslims During Ramzan?

If the moon is sighted this evening, Muslims in Australia and New Zealand will start fasting for Ramadan from April 24. If the moon remains invisible, Ramadan will begin from April 25. Here it may be noted that the Grand Mufti of Australia has announced that Ramadan in the country will begin from April 24. However, Muslims in New Zealand will attempt to sight the moon on 29th of Shabaan that is today and accordingly decide the first day of Ramadan.

During Ramzan, Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to dusk. Fasting in Ramadan is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline and self-restraint. There are certain restrictions that Muslims follow during the holy month. Fasting (roza) is one of the five pillars of Islam.