Syrians gather to view Ramadan’s crescent moon

Record ID: 1717112

  • Title: Syrians gather to view Ramadan’s crescent moon
  • Date: 23rd March 2023
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MEMBER OF THE ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION, TAREK AL-KHATIB, SAYING: “The astronomical association is available in Tartous, Hama, Masiaf, Latakia, Homs and Aleppo. All teams are focused on observing the moon today so if the weather is bad somewhere we can observe the moon in another city with better weather.” VARIOUS OF AL-KHATIB OBSERVING THE MOON
  • Embargoed: 6th April 2023 09:11
  • Keywords: Ramadan Religion Syria
  • Location: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
  • City: DAMASCUS, SYRIA
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Middle East,Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA003960523032023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Tens of Syrians patiently wait to get a go at sighting the new crescent moon that marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday (March 22).
    People gathered on the rooftop of the Syrian astronomical association in Damascus to join the annual event which takes place in several other governorates.
    “Sighting the Ramadan crescent moon has a spiritual significance. We love to see it live via telescopes with members of the association,” said Tasnim Daas, a Syrian university student.
    “The astronomical association is available in Tartous, Hama, Masiaf, Hama, Latakia, Homs and Aleppo. All teams are focused on observing the moon today so if the weather is bad somewhere we can observe the moon in another city with better weather,” member of the astronomical association that organises the event, Tarek al-Khatib added.
    Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims refrain from food and water from dawn to dusk.
    Just like most Arab countries, Syria announced the first day of Ramadan for Thursday (March 23).
    Ramadan this year comes amid a difficult economic crisis that rages throughout the war torn country.
    (Production: Firas Makdesi, Kinda Makieh)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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