Muslims in India begin observing fasting month of Ramazaan

Muslims across India began observing their annual fasting month of Ramazaan from Thursday, after Hilal Committees in various cities, including Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad announced that there was no news of moon sighting on Tuesday.

"We have not received reports of moon sighting from any part of the country so far. Hence it is declared that tomorrow (Thursday) will be the 30th day of the month of Shabaan and the first day of Ramazaan will be on Thursday, July 11", President of Jamiatul Ulema Maharashtra Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi was quoted, as saying.

In New Delhi, the Imam of the Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari, also announced that Thursday would be the first day of Ramazaan in India.

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In Patna, Imtiyaz Rahmani of Khanqah Munger said there were no reports of moon sighting from any part of Bihar and neighbouring states on Tuesday.

In Kolkata, the Imam of the Tipu Sultan Masjid, Maulana Barkati, announced that Ramazaan in the state will begin from Thursday.

In Hyderabad, local Hilal Committee announced that the first day of Ramazaan will be on Thursday.

Similar announcements were made from Chennai and Ahmedabad.

The Islamic calendar runs on sighting of the new moon. In every month, the crescent or the new moon is sighted on 29th of that month. If the new moon is sighted on 29th, the next day is counted as the first day of the new month. If not, the calendar counts the next day as 30th day of the month. After counting 30 days, the new month begins from the next day.

Ramazaan is the holiest month for the Muslim and in this month they observe fast refraining themselves from eating and drinking. The month of Ramazaan ends with Eid al Fitr - the day of celebration.

Eid al Adha comes two months ten days after the Eid. It coincides with Haj.