Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.

According to Islam, the Qur’an was sent down to the lowest heaven during this month, thus being prepared for gradual revelation by Jibreel (Gabriel) to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Therefore, Prophet Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open for the entire month and the gates of Hell (Jahannam) would be closed.

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year and contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset.

Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and ending dates of Ramadan depend on what lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different countries, but usually only by a day. This is due to the cycle of the moon.

The moon travels the same path all year round and when the moon is seen in the east, it is then seen traveling towards the west. All the countries around the world see the moon within a 24-hour period once spotted by one country in the east.

Each year, Ramadan begins about eleven days earlier than in the previous year. Astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available. 33 Islamic years are approximately equal to 32 tropical years, with six days over.

Yawm Al-Ro’ya aka the Moon Sightseeing Day for Ramadan 1437 will be on Sunday June 5, 2016.

The Astronomical New Moon (conjunction) will occur on the same day on Sunday the 5th of June 2016 at 3:00 UT. On that day there is a possibility of moonsighting in Americas, and easy visibility in the Pacific. However, on Monday the 6th of June, the moon will be easily seen in the entire Islamic World and the whole world.

This means that the Muslim Countries and Muslims all over the globe will witness the 1st day of Ramadan on Monday the 6th of June.