Saudi Arabia has announced that the holy month of Ramadan will start on Friday, as Muslims worldwide face unprecedented restrictions to counter the coronavirus, Reuters reports.

“Based on the sighting of the new month's moon ... it has been decided that Friday is the start of the month of Ramadan,” the royal court said on Thursday in a statement cited by the SPA news agency.

King Salman said he is saddened that Muslims cannot pray at mosques because of coronavirus restrictions.

“I am pained that the holy month arrives amid circumstances that make us unable to perform group prayers and Taraweeh at mosques due to precautionary measures to protect the peoples' lives and health in combating the coronavirus pandemic,” the king said in a statement cited by SPA.