Somalia Declares Thursday as First Day of Ramadan

The Somali government has announced that Thursday 17th May 2018 as the first day of Ramadan.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has said Wednesday will mark 30th of Sha’ban.
“According to the Ramadan Crescent Observers committee of the Ministry, Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be the end of the Eighth month of Muslim calendar. Therefore Thursday will probably be the 1st of Ramadan,” reads a statement by the Ministry.
Al-Shabaab group has also announced that May 17th would be the first day of Ramadan according to a statement the group posted on its affiliate Website.
More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the month of Ramadan, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having marital relations from dawn until sunset.
Muslims are also enjoined to avoid evil thoughts and deeds.
Ramadan is sacred to Muslims because it was during this month that the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Fasting the month of Ramadan is also one of the five pillars of Islam.
Some other Muslim majority countries like Indonesia have also announced the commencement of Ramadan.