Ramadan begins in Kerala

The devout Muslims in Kerala will for the next almost 30 days be indulged in prayers, fasting, charity and religious activity as the holy month of Ramadan began here early Sunday.

The supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League Pannakad Hyder Ali Shihab Thangal and other religious leaders addressed the masses about the importance of the month of Ramadan.

Muslims in Kerala constitute roughly 24 percent of the 3.3 crore population of the state.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

It is the month of fasting, in which Muslims don't eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset.

Fasting is meant to teach the person patience and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, to offer even more prayer than normal and ask forgiveness for the sins of the past and ask for guidance in the future.

Ramadan ends with Eid-ul-Fitr, and normally depending on the calendar it takes either 29 or 30 days.

Ma'din Academy in the Muslim dominated Kerala district of Malappuram, one of the growing educational institutions in the state, with more than 15000 students and 25 educational and charity ventures, welcomed Ramadan with a 25 item action plan to be implemented during the holy month.

The programme includes spiritual gatherings, educational and charity service activities, iftar meetings - breaking Ramadan's fast, online sessions. Besides, importance would be given to religious sessions.