Srinagar, Mar 22: Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Wednesday said that no evidence from any part of the UT was received about sightings of Crescent moon and March 24 (Friday) will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
Grand Mufti Nasir Ul Islam told Rising Kashmir that no witness or evidence was received from any part of J&K about the sighting of Ramadhan moon. Therefore, first day of Ramadhan will be on March 24 (Friday),” he said.
However announcements were made in Mosques across Kashmir regarding begining of the holy month of Ramadhan from ThursdayIn most of the Tarawih prayers were offered that marks the beginning of Ramdhan in the Himalayan region.
Muslims across the globe follow a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. Sighting a crescent moon heralds the start of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi on Wednesday said that during the holy month of Ramadhan, Tarawih prayers wil broadcasted live from through Private Media Channels and Official Social Media handles of the organisation.
While addressing the gathering during second round of meetings with Imams, Khateebs, & Waqf Administrators to give final touches to the Ramadhan preparations.
Dr. Andrabi said Tarawih Prayers will be telecasted live through some Pvt News Channels & Official Facebook Page “J&K WAQF BOARD” from Aasari Shareef Hazratbal Srinagar.
The Chairperson also reviewed the status of engaging Haafiz-e-Quran Imams, other Imams, and Special Khateebs for convenience of devotees.
During the meeting, she also reviewed status of Sanitation, Cleanliness, minor & major repair works at Shrines, Khanqahs, & Masjids across the Valley.
The Chairperson also issued special directions for mobilisation of donations during the holy month of Ramadhan specially for the destitute & poor.
“A separate account shall be created for it and funds shall be distributed immediately towards the close of the holy month,” she said adding that beneficiaries shall be recommended by the Imams, Muallims & the local respected people.
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, an organisation of Muslim scholars in India, also announced that Ramadan month would begin on March 24, Friday.
“The crescent for Ramadan 2023 has not been sighted on March 22 evening. Hence, the first Ramadan fast this year will be observed on March 24, on Jumma (Friday),” Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said in a statement.
Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the faithful observe the ninth month of the Islamic calendar with prayers and fasting.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Maghreb).Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it’s an obligatory practice for all Muslims who can carry out the fast.
In addition to abstaining from food and drink during fasting, Ramadan is also a month of disciplining oneself, reflecting and creating positive spiritual habits.
On Wednesday, crescent moon of Ramadan 2023 was sighted in Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK and othear countries will mark their first fast of Ramadan on Thursday.
The holy month of Ramadan ends with Eid-ul-Fitr. This year Eid -ul-Fitr in India will be celebrated on Friday, April 21 or Saturday, April 22 depending on the sighting of the Moon.
