By Khaled Mamdouh, IOL Staff

CAIRO, November 4 (IslamOnline) - Egypt, Qatar, Singapore declared Monday, November 4, that Tuesday would mark the end of Shaaban, and Wednesday, November 6, marks the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Iran and Pakistan, meanwhile, declared they would sight the Ramadan Crescent Tuesday, while Afghanis are waiting for Saudi Arabia’s decision .

In Cairo, Egyptian Mufti Ahmed el-Tayyib, declared Tuesday, November 5, the last day of Shaaban, and Wednesday the first of Ramadan, as the Crescent was not sighted today.

The declaration was made during the ceremony held in Dar Il-Iftaa, and attended by Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, senior officials and ambassadors of Islamic countries in Cairo. President Hosni Mubarak delegated Cairo governor, Dr. Abdul Rahim Shehata to fill in for him.

In Singapore, the Islamic Council announced Tuesday, Shaaban 29, 1423 Hijri, as the end of Shaaban, making Wednesday, November 6, the first of Ramadan, 1423, Hijri.

The same conclusion was reached in Kuwait, Qatar, Nigeria, and also U.S. Muslims, as well as Russian Muslims and the Palestinians, are to observe Ramadan Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran declared they would announce the advent of Ramadan Tuesday, November 5, after sighting the Crescent. That means, depending on eye-sight of the Crescent, the countries may observe Ramadan Wednesday or Thursday.

The Afghanis, for their part, declared they would observe Ramadan with the Saudis.