By Ghada Radi, IOL Staff

CAIRO, November 5 (IslamOnline) - The International Islamic Committee (IIC) for sighting the crescent in Germany, affiliated to the European Higher Council for Iftaa, declared that Tuesday, November 5, is the end of Shaaban, 1423 Hijri, and that the fasting month of Ramadan starts Wednesday, November 6.

The advent of Ramadan is decided upon the Fatwa (Islamic ruling) issued by the IIC two years ago to regulate that important Islamic occasion. The Fatwa stated that the start of Ramadan is decided only upon sighting the Crescent in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Mecca is chosen as it occupies a central place on the universe.

In Britain, meanwhile, the Islamic Center (IC) declared Wednesday would be the first of Ramadan, 1423 Hijri, based on the decision reached by the special committee, affiliated to the IC, established to sight the Ramadan Crescent.

The majority of British Muslims follow the decisions of the IC, however, some follow their original homeland, especially the Pakistani minority., and some Arabs. Others follow Saudi Arabia, regardless of their origins.

In Spain, all Islamic minorities follow Saudi Arabia on all Islamic occasions, especially the advent of Ramadan. However, the Moroccan minority follow the motherland, as most of them spend the lesser Bairam holiday with their families back in Morocco.

Dutch Muslims, on the other hand, were still undecided Tuesday, November 5, about the advent of Ramadan, a typical behavior during the last few years. The majority of Dutch Muslims, about one million people, tend to observe Ramadan with Saudi Arabia, but others prefer to follow their original homelands.