Ramadan lanterns (or Fanoos Ramadan) are displayed for sale at a shop ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Cairo (Photo: reuters)
The Islamic month of Ramadan will commence in Egypt on 18 June, Egypt's National Astronomy Institute announced on Wednesday.
Abu Ela Amin, head of the astronomy institute, explained that according to astronomical and mathematical calculations, Ramadan will begin this year on 18 June and will end 16 July, reported MENA.
The Metro Authority also announced that it would extend the working hours in metro stations until 2am during Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims abstain from drinking and eating from dawn until dusk.
Muslim scholars and astronomers often disagree on what day of the month Ramadan begins on. Many depend on seeing the moon with their own eyes to determine the beginning of the fasting month.
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