The holy month of Ramadan has begun, as the month of Shaban came to an end on Wednesday.
Muslims in most countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, United States and several European nations will begin the Ramadan fasting on Thursday.
In India, however, the Ramzan fasting will begin on Friday. In Pakistan, too, Ramadan will begin on Friday, Dawn reported.
About 1.6 billion Muslims across the world will observe a month of fasting and prayers to commemorate the time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed on the night of "Laylat Al Qadr".
Muslims will begin their first fast for the holy month on Thursday morning, and will not eat or drink from dawn to dusk.
People wish each other with greetings such as 'Ramadan Mubarak' or 'Ramadan Kareem'.
Ramadan begins on Thursday as the crescent moon, also known as hilal, was not sighted on Tuesday.
Fasting during Ramadan is considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
FACTS ABOUT RAMADAN
- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
- Observance of fasting and prayers during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Ramadan is meant to commemorate the time that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed on the night of 'Laylat Al Qadr'.
- All adult, healthy Muslims observe fasting during the month of Ramadan. Women who are pregnant or menstruating, the sick and the elderly, and children who have not hit puberty, are exempt.
- People usually wish each other during the month of Ramadan with greetings such as 'Ramadan Mubarak' or 'Ramadan Kareem'.
- Ramadan ends after a period of 30 days of fasting, which is marked with the Eid ul Fitr festival.
