As Ramadan approaches Muslims across the globe are awaiting the first sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of a new lunar month with Ramadan beginning the following day.

In Tunisia scientists armed with telescopes have been scouring the sky in search of the crescent moon.

Samir Ben Abdallah, is director of geophysics and astronomy at the National Institute of Meteorology: “In the Republic of Tunisia, we depend on observation with the support of calculation as a principle to determine the lunar months. What does it mean with the support of calculation? When we look at this map, it shows us where the crescent moon can be seen.”

Sunday June 29 is now the first day of Ramadan. When adult Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days.