CAIRO: The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta school will officially celebrate the determination of the Ramadan crescent moon on Saturday. They will determine whether Ramadan will begin tonight or tomorrow night, based on the appearance of the new moon. The Dar al-Ifta school is considered one of pioneers of Foundations for Fatwa (Islamic law). It is also authorized to determine the appearance of the crescent moon of Ramadan. Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting, during which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. The celebration will be held at the Al-Azhar Conference Center in Nasr City. The annual celebration will be attended by the following prominent figures: a representative from Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Force, Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb, the ministers of Justice and Awqaf (religious endowments), the President of Al-Azhar University, the former Grand Mufti, the head sheikhs of the Salafis, Mohamed Badie, general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, and a large number of various political figures. All measures have been taken in accordance with the Jeddah Conference in the determination of the Ramadan crescent moon, said Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa. Dar el-Ifta will distribute booklets about fasting rules during Ramadan to the participants.
