Official Saudi Arabia press agency has published announcement by the Saudi’s Supreme Court that there were no positive hilaal (crescent moon) sightings from around the country on the evening of Tuesday, 15 May 2018. Therefore, the Supreme Court decided that the month of Sha’ban be completed 30 days according to Ummul Qura calendar and 1 Ramadan 1439 H will start on Thursday, 17 May 2018.
Below is a quote from the SPA News Agency regarding the start of Ramadan 1439 H:
The Royal Court cited a statement by the Higher Court as saying that it held an extraordinary session this evening to get briefed on reports sent by regional courts on viewing the crescent of Ramadan for this year 1439 H. but nobody tested to have seen the moon.
Citing certified sayings of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) in this regard, the Higher Court decided that the current month of Shaaban proceeds to complete its 30th day tomorrow Wednesday (30th of Shaaban 1439 H. according to Ummal Qura calendar) and that Thursday becomes the 1st of Ramadan 1439 H. according to Ummal Qura calendar corresponding to May 17, 2018.
