Ramadan begins Saturday in Algeria

ALGIERS- The Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadhan of 1430 Hegira year will begin on Saturday 22 August 2009, as Ramadan crescent moon that determines the beginning of a lunar month was not sighted yesterday (Thursday), announced the National Moon-Sighting Committee in session on Tuesday evening at the Religious Affairs and Waqf Ministry's headquarters. The National Moon-Sighting Committee, including sub-committees throughout 48 provinces nationwide, comprises Ulamas (religious scholars) and experts from the Research Centre in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics (CRAAG).