The Gambia announced Saturday (2 April) as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan after the crescent was sighted.

The Supreme Islamic Council, the body task with overseeing all Islamic affairs in the country, made the announcement on Friday evening at the state broadcaster, GRTS.

Top official of the Supreme Islamic Council Sheikh Ebrima Jarju said: “We have some Gambian people who have sighted the moon and some countries around the world including United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar have sighted the moon.

“So, by the grace of God tomorrow is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. 

“May we live to witness many Ramadan. We are directed by the Imam Ratib and the President of the Supreme Islamic Council Shiekh Essa Darboe directed us to come and announce this great news to you.”

He also urged Muslims to do their night prayers “appropriately and avoid doing it in hurry”.

Shiekh Assan Cham also an official of the Supreme Islamic Council reiterated that “the moon is one”, adding that “majority of the Muslims announced the sighting of the moon.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba