Ramadan fasting begins

BY SIRAJ KHAN,Nepalgunj, Mar. 3: The holy month of Ramadan, a major festival for the Muslim community, which is celebrated with fasting and various activities for a month, has begun across the country, including Banke on Sunday.

On Saturday evening, the chief religious leader, Maulana Mufti Jafar Raza, announced the sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon from the Jama Masjid in Nepalgunj, marking the beginning of Ramadan from Sunday.

Mufti Raza, upon seeing the Ramadan crescent, urged the Muslim community to observe fasting for a month and engage in various religious and social activities.

Ramadan, celebrated for a month, is an important festival for Muslims. According to Alam Khan, spokesperson for the Jama Masjid management committee, the Taraweeh prayers began in all mosques starting Saturday. 

On the occasion of Ramadan's beginning, various associations and local governments in the district have extended their greetings. Haji Abdul Rahman Miyan, the chairman of the Darul Uloom Faizunnabi Jama Masjid Eidgah management committee, also expressed his greetings. He said that the holy month would promote mutual tolerance, affection, religious and cultural harmony and brotherhood.

Similarly, Narainpur Rural Municipality Chairman Istiak Ahmad Shah issued a message of congratulations. He said that Nepal is a multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic country and the constitution recognises the equal existence of all religions, cultures, languages and communities. He said that the Ramadan festival will further strengthen Nepal’s religious diversity.

The five most important religious duties of the Muslim community are Kalma, Roza (fasting), Namaz, Hajj and Zakat. Among these, Roza (fasting) is particularly significant and is celebrated with great importance.

The fast begins with Seheri (pre-dawn meal) one and a half hours before sunrise and is broken at sunset with fruits and sweets, which is called Iftar. 

During the fast, nothing can be consumed, including food or water and even swallowing saliva intentionally is not allowed. During this month, Muslims are known for giving the most charity and community Iftar gatherings are held throughout the month at various locations.

According to Muslim leader Mohammad Zubair Rai, after completing 30 or 29 days of fasting, the festival of Eid is celebrated. On Eid day, men go to the Eidgah to perform prayers, while women pray together at home. At the end, they embrace each other, exchanging greetings and congratulations with ‘Eid Mubarak.’