Srinagar: Ramzan fasts will begin on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country as the crescent moon marking the start of the fasting month was sighted in various parts of the country on Wednesday.
After the sighting of the moon, the holy month begins, and for the next 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
The first fast of the holy month of Ramadan will be observed in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, as the crescent moon was sighted on Wednesday evening.
Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi, announced the sighting after receiving verified reports from various districts across the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region.
The announcement was made following extensive consultations with scholars from different schools of Islamic thought in the Union Territory.
“The crescent has been sighted. After consulting with my brothers from various schools of thought, it is declared that the holy month of Ramadan will commence tomorrow,” Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the moon sighting committee, Islam said credible testimonies were received from various areas of the valley about the sighting of the crescent moon.
“As the crescent was sighted this evening, the first day of fasting will be observed on Thursday,” he said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his greetings to the people at the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan.
In a message, the LG said: “Heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people on the commencement of the holy month of Ramzan. May this time of prayer and forgiveness guide us to support those in need and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood. May this sacred month foster a spirit of mutual goodwill, love, compassion and bring harmony and kindness to all”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also extended his greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the holy month of Ramzan.
“The CM prayed for peace, unity, and prosperity across the region, urging everyone to embrace compassion, harmony and togetherness,” the CM’s office said in a post on his official X handle.
Meanwhile, Shahi Imam of Chandni Chowk’s Fatehpuri mosque, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, also announced that the crescent moon was sighted and the month of fasting will start from February 19.
Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, also declared that the moon was sighted.
During this month, a special prayer called Taraweeh are offered in mosques in the evening. In this prayer, the entire Quran is recited and it continues till the sighting of the Eid moon.
Mufti Mukarram has appealed to the Muslim community to “pray as much as possible for the well-being of the 140 crore people of the country”.
