JEDDAH: Tomorrow, June 18, is the start of holy month of Ramadan, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.

During a meeting at its summer headquarters in Taif, the court said the crescent moon was not sighted on Tuesday and so fasting will start Thursday.

Taraweeh prayers, or extra prayers performed during Ramadan nights, will begin tonight.

Other countries that will begin the fast on Thursday include Qatar, Jordan and Palestine.

More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the month, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn until sunset.