ANKARA

Most Arab countries are set to mark the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Monday.

After the new moon was sighted on Sunday, religious authorities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates announced that observation of the fasting month will begin on Monday.

Muslims in Egypt, Bahrain, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq as well as in Sudan will do the same.

In Jordan, Oman, Libya, Morocco and Iran, however, Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, as the new moon was not signed on Sunday.

In Türkiye, the Religious Affairs Directorate relies on the sighting of the crescent new moon from anywhere in the world (ihtilaf-i metali) rather than its local sighting to determine both the start of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which directly follows Ramadan.

During Ramadan, Muslims normally abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex from sunup to sunset.

Throughout the fasting month, Muslims are urged to perform extra prayers, especially at night, recite the Quran, give to the poor and refrain from committing misdeeds.