The Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah, issued a statement announcing that the next Thursday is the first day of the month of Ramadan. He said:

Based on accurate astronomical calculations that we trust (the birth of the crescent and the ability to see it), it has been jurisprudentially proven to us that next Thursday will mark the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan across the world, including the countries in the Far East such as Australia and New Zealand.

On this blessed occasion, we pray to Allah, the Almighty, that this month will bestow Good, dignity and unity on all Muslims. He is the All-Hearing, the Answering.