New Delhi, 18 February (H.S.): Ramzan fasts will begin in India on Thursday after the crescent moon marking the start of the holy month was sighted in various parts of the country on Wednesday.
Shahi Imam of Chandni Chowk’s Fatehpuri mosque, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, announced that the moon had been sighted and the fasting month would commence from February 19. Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, also confirmed the sighting.
Mufti Mukarram appealed to the Muslim community to pray for the well-being of the country’s people during the holy month.
Preparations for the month of fasting have begun across the nation. Moon sighting traditionally determines the commencement of Ramzan in the Islamic calendar.
During the month, Muslims observe fasts from dawn to dusk for about 30 days. Those observing the fast usually break it with dates and water, followed by the evening meal known as Iftar, and take a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor.
Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a period of prayer, self-discipline and charity. Special evening prayers, known as Taraweeh, are offered in mosques and continue until the sighting of the Eid moon.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
