This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. (Photo: Getty Imges/Thinkstock)Also known as Ramazan or Ramzan, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is observed by people belonging to the Muslim community around the world. Considered to be a holy month, devotees fast and pray, and also engage in humanitarian activities good deeds for the poor.
This year, Ramadan begins on April 14, a Wednesday, and ends on May 12, which is a Wednesday. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation.
As mentioned earlier, fasting is a must for all adult Muslims, unless someone is sick, is travelling, is having their menstrual cycle, is pregnant, diabetic, or elderly. During this time, the pre-dawn meal is referred to as ‘suhur‘ or ‘sehri‘, and the feast that happens after a fast is broken at night is called ‘iftar‘.
Prophet Muhammed is believed to have received his first Quranic revelation on ‘Laylat al-Qadr‘ — one of five odd-numbered nights that fall during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr takes place as the month of Ramadan draws to a close. The date is dependent on the sighting of the new moon. Once the sighting is confirmed, the festival begins.
The month of Ramadan is an exercise in self-restraint and self-discipline. It is observed as a way of coming closer to Allah, to physically and spiritually detoxify by getting rid of impulses and vices.
Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan is here. (AP Photo/ Rajanish Kakade )
PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend warm wishes
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The President of the United States wished everyone on the occasion
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On Tuesday, Muslims all across the globe began marking Ramadan with communal prayers while maintaining social distance. Last year, Islam’s holiest month was also the beginning of the coronavirus. Here is how the first day of Ramadan is being celebrated. See pics
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday conveyed his greetings on the occasion of the beginning of Ramzan month.
In an official release, Rao expressed the desire that the fasting and prayers done during the Ramzan month should result in harmony and happiness. In the wake of surge in COVID-19 cases, the CM urged the Muslims to follow the guidelines and offer prayers.
The CM reminded them that the state government is officially celebrating the festival of Ramzan, respecting all religions and working tirelessly to maintain communal harmony. (PTI)
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Anupam Kher took to Twitter to share his warm wishes with everyone celebrating today.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote, "We hope this month offers ample opportunity for reflection and growth."
May all of us find peace this Ramadan. Ramzan mubarak!
Have a blessed month!
Actor Tisca Chopra wrote, "may we find harvest of hope in our hearts at this time."
Actor Farhan Akhtar takes to Twitter to share the message with his fans.
Actor Hansika Motwani extended her wishes to those celebrating
Saiyami Kher took to Twitter to share her wishes with the fans. Posting a picture of herself in a yellow kurti set, she also urged everyone to celebrate safely: "Let’s all collectively do everything to stay healthy and safe."
Vice President Kamala Harris took to Instagram to extend her warmest wishes to everyone observing the month of Ramadan. In an Instagram post, she wrote: "Around the world, Muslim families are taking time to help those who need it most and reflect on the blessings that come with faith. Ramadan Kareem."
President Joe Biden has greeted the Muslims in the US and across the world observing Ramzan, and hailed the contributions of the minority community in building a diverse and vibrant America.
During the holy month of Ramzan, Muslims observe fast, perform acts of charity, recite prayers and read the Quran. They fast daily from sunrise to sundown.
"As many of our fellow Americans begin fasting tomorrow, we are reminded of how difficult this year has been. In this pandemic, friends and loved ones cannot yet gather together in celebration and congregation, and far too many families will sit down for iftar with loved ones missing," Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement on Monday, according to PTI.
"Yet, our Muslim communities begin the month of revelation with renewed hope. Many will focus on increasing their consciousness of the presence of God in their lives, reaffirming their commitment to the service of others that their faith compels, and expressing gratitude for the blessings they enjoy health, well-being, and life itself," he said.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to extend his greetings on the holy occasion
Muslims began marking Ramadan with communal prayers Tuesday in a socially distanced contrast to the empty mosques of a year ago when Islam’s holiest month coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Associated Press.
COVID-19 cases are spiking in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, but vaccines are being administered and the government is loosening restrictions. Mosques were allowed to open for Ramadan prayers with strict health protocols in place, and with malls and cafes open, passers-by could again see curtains shielding the sight of food from people fasting, the outlet said.
"Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced in a televised address Monday evening that the new Ramadan moon had been spotted. The holy month is marked by intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts," it added.
Ramadan, which begins this week, comes as much of the world has been hit by an intense new coronavirus wave. For many Muslims navigating restrictions, that means hopes of a better Ramadan than last year have been dashed with the surge in infection rates though regulations vary in different countries. Read more.
Time to send some special messages to your friends and family this Ramadan. Read more here
Here's SpongeBob and Patrick Star wishing everyone on the occasion!
Sharing how the challenges since the past year have been extraordinary, he requests everyone to be kind and "to abide by the values that Ramadan inspires: those of compassion, of fraternity, of friendship."
Preparations are in full swing; many take to Twitter to share this video
Sana Khan took to Twitter to share a message for her fans and followers. "The one who advises you & stops u from sinning is the one who truly loves you & cares for ur Akhirah. Imagine having someone who cares so deeply for u that they want to protect your DEEN. SubhanAllah"
Also known as Ramazan, Ramzan or Ramadhan, this is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is observed by Muslims all over the world as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It commemorates Muhammad’s first revelation. Ramadan lasts for 29-30 days, from the sighting of the crescent moon to the next. At the end of the fasting month, Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Fitr which is the festival of breaking the fast.
The first day of fasting for the holy month is determined by the sighting of the new moon. And that is likely to be Tuesday, April 13, according to Al Jazeera. Read more.
Palestinian People decorated streets in preparation for Holy month of #Ramadan2021
Dubai is parting with a longstanding requirement that restaurants be covered by curtains in the daytime during Ramadan to shield the sight of food from people fasting. The move, announced Sunday by the city-state’s Economic Development Department, is the latest change aimed at boosting tourism in the Muslim nation. Read more here.
Ramadan is one of the most important periods in Islam during which people observe a fast. This year, Ramadan will begin on April 14, 2021 and, end on the evening of May 12, 2021 (dates may vary). During this time, Muslims observe fasting, which is called roza. While keeping roza, one should not eat or drink anything while the sun is shining. People wake up early in the morning to have their first meal or sehri and in the evening, they break their fast with the evening meal called iftaar. This month is auspicious and sacred to all believers.
As per IslamicFinder.com, here’s what you need to know about the timings for sehri and iftaar.