But what unites all Muslims is the observance of the new crescent moon in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, where Islam was first established by the prophet ...

Shawwal, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins right at the sighting of the crescent moon, or "Shawwal moon." The first day of Shawwal brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

Following the sighting of the crescent by the moon-sighting committee, Saudi Arabia has announced that the first day of fasting will be Monday, March 11. Ramadan is determined by the Islamic ...