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Iranians begin Ramadan fasting a day late

TEHRAN, Dec 21 (AFP) - Iranians began fasting for the month of Ramadan at dawn on Monday, a day late according to the Islamic lunar calendar and after a number of Arab countries had already begun the dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Iranians were obliged to wait until Sunday afternoon to be told by religious authorities that they had seen the new moon, which heralds the fasting month.

"Following information from the four corners of the country sent to the office of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it has been proven that the new moon was observed on Saturday," a statement from the leader's office said.

"Sunday should therefore have been considered as the first day of Ramadan," it added.

A number of religious dignitaries had already confirmed they had seen on Saturday the new moon heralding the new month.

Papers on Monday confirmed the statement that Sunday had been the first day of Ramadan, though Iranians did not fast that day.

Police have asked people not to eat and smoke in public, a criminal offense in the Islamic republic during the fasting month.


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