Holy month of Ramazan to begin from Wednesday; clercs urge Muslims to pray at home

With the holy month of Ramzan starting from Wednesday, the All India Imam Organisation held a meeting in New Delhi and asked Muslims to offer namaz at home, and advised them not to assemble in crowds at mosques because of the Covid-19 surge.

Bengaluru: The Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal committee in Bengaluru on Monday announced that the Ramazan will begin on Wednesday (April 14) as the moon was not sighted across the country on Monday.

"The moon was not sighted in the city of Bengaluru and other districts like Belgaum, Hubli, and Mysuru," the Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal committee said.

"The same information of not sighting the moon has also been received from Delhi, Bhopal, Mumbai, Gujarat, Allahabad and other places. Therefore respected Ulemas have unanimously decided that the first day of Ramazan will be on Wednesday," the committee said.

With surge in Covid-19 cases, clercs urge Muslims to pray at home

With the holy month of Ramzan starting from Wednesday, the All India Imam Organisation held a meeting in New Delhi and asked Muslims to offer namaz at home, and advised them not to assemble in crowds at mosques because of the Covid-19 surge. Amid a surge in the COVID-19 cases in the country, Imams held meetings and appealed to follow the guidelines issued by the government.

A meeting of the Imams of Delhi under the chairmanship of Dr. Umer Ahmad Ilyasi, Chief of All India Imam Organisation was geld at Imam House in New Delhi. In this meeting, Imams discussed how to improve the situation keeping in mind the rising outbreak of Coronavirus and the emphasis on applying masks with social distancing.

He also appealed to follow COVID guidelines as the Central and state governments have issued during Ramzan.

Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by people belonging to the Muslim community all around the world. It is considered to be the holy month of fasting and praying, and of engaging in humanitarian activities such as feeding the underprivileged.

The celebration is all about the breaking of the dawn-to-dusk fast and is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal (the 10th month). It comes approximately 11 days earlier than the one the previous year when following the Gregorian (solar) calendar.

(With inputs from agencies)