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.