Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims around the world observe fasts and abstain from any wrongdoings to attain salvation. Every year, there's confusion on the dates when Ramadan ends and Eid al-Fitr is celebrated, but this year confusion has started early.
The Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries will observe the first fast of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, April 24. Going by that, India and other neighbouring countries would traditionally start fasting the next day onwards. However, any decision is subject to the sighting of the moon and two Indian states have announced that the crescent has been sighted in Southern India.
Karnataka, Kerala confirm Ramadan
According to ANI, Ramadan is to be observed in Kerala and Karnataka after the moon was sighted in Kappad in Kozhikode and Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Thursday evening. Since Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycles, sighting of the moon confirms that Ramadan will begin in these two states, and in India by extension, on Friday, April 24.
Kerala traditionally follows Saudi Arabia's schedule for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, which doesn't come as a surprise that this year too the Ramadan dates coincide with Saudi. However, the moon sighting in Karnataka on the day Saudi Arabia observed it too is unlikely - not impossible.
International Business Times, India hasn't been able to verify the reports of moon sighting in Karnataka. The Hilal Committee in India is yet to declare the Ramadan dates in the country. Based on our sources, Ramadan will commence in India on Saturday after the moon sighting on Friday. Stay tuned for updates.
