First day of Ramadan announced in Oman

Muscat: It has been announced that Thursday, May 17, will be the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan in Oman this year.
The Main Committee of New Moon Sighting at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs released a statement on Sunday saying, "Wednesday May 16, 2018 will correspond with the 30th of Shaban 1439 H. Therefore, Thursday May 17, 2018 will be the first of the Holy Month of Ramadan for the year 1439 H."
According to the ministry, astronomical evidence revealed that it will not be possible to see the moon in most part of the Sultanate on Tuesday 29th of Shaban 1439 H, therefore Ramadan will be on Thursday.
The ministry also sent congratulations and blessings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the advent of the holy month, and congratulated the Omani people and the Islamic Ummah.