Muslims gear up to welcome Ramadhan. Muslims will start observing the holy month of Ramadhan starting tomorrow (Tuesday) until Wednesday, August 7, according to the Islamic Calendar. But the start of the 30-day fast will be based on the sighting of the new crescent moon that Muslims will be watching from today evening across the world. Fasting is the fifth pillar of Islam to be fulfilled annually after faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salah), charitable giving (Zakah) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). Muslims are commanded by God to fast 30 days from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadhan, an annual event that is the holiest of the four Islamic holy months and the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sharif Al Muhdhar, who is also the only Muslim leader mandated to announce the start and end of fasting, disclosed yesterday that Muslims should start fasting after the new crescent moon has been sighted. “But if it’s not sighted in the expected eve, then fasting may resume at the end of 30 days of the previous Islamic month of Shaaban,” advised the Kadhi. He said Muslim leaders in various parts of the country would converge this evening to sight the new moon and relay the message to his office before he could make the announcement officially through the media. Taking Oath The Chief Kadhi said that although it was not easy for any human being to sight the new crescent by a naked eye, whoever will claim to have seen it would be required to take an oath witnessed by more than two Imams. He also warned Muslims to display a high sense of discipline, avoid violence, confrontational speeches and fully dedicate themselves to God during the holy month.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 05:32:32 +0000
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