Politics, technology can decide timing of Ramadan

RIYADH (Reuters) - Muslims around the world enter the holy month of Ramadan this weekend, but even worshippers in the same country can begin fasting on different days because of disputes over how and where the new moon is sighted. 

The timing of Ramadan, when the faithful fast from dawn until dusk, varies in different Muslim countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, according to the Islamic lunar calendar that binds the world's one billion Muslims. Reasons for the discrepancy range from the political to the esoteric.