Mideast nations declare Friday start of Ramadan

[rug]

updated 7/19/2012 7:30:09 PM ET

CAIRO — Religious authorities in most Middle Eastern countries declared that Friday will be the start of the holy month of Ramadan, a period devoted to dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayers and good deeds.

Official statements issued Thursday in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Libya and Yemen said the holy month will start the following day.

Political differences and religious disputes between Sunni- and Shiite-majority countries in the region have often played a role in different starting dates for the holy month which is usually calculated based on the sighting of a new moon.

Highlighting the turmoil in Syria, Syria's government said the holy month will begin Saturday — in contrast to the opposition Syrian National Council, which said it is to be observed starting Friday. On the group's Facebook page, the SNC urged unity and cooperation among Syrians as they fight Bashar Assad's regime.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48251420

[cbayer]

1. I had no idea that the start date was some kind of political event.

This is bizarre.

And announcing the start the day before? It seems like some preparations would need to be made.

[rug]

2. There's often some dispute as to the exact strting time.

It has something to do with the lunar calendar but I'm not sure what the precise dispute is.