1.   Ramadan moves with the lunar calendar each year, beginning in each Muslim country when the new crescent moon is sighted over each nation.

2.   After dark on Wednesday, the word went out that no moon had been sighted over the Emirates, or in Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Libya.

3.   But since no observation post had sighted the moon yesterday it was assumed that the moon would appear Wednesday.

4.   Last year, Egypt and Saudi Arabia split over whether the crescent moon had been sighted, leading Saudis to end their fast one day earlier than Egyptians.

5.   The Eid el-Fitr feast is expected to begin Thursday, assuming the crescent moon is sighted in Egypt on Wednesday night.

6.   Islamic leaders in each country decide the date the night before, based on when they have sighted the moon.

7.   BTV said the crescent moon had been sighted in Bangladesh Friday evening heralding the start of Ramadan.