Ramzan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, will begin on Friday, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, president of Fatehpuri Royat Hilal Committee, said.
Had the new moon been sighted on Wednesday, Ramzan would have started on Thursday. But since that did not happen, Thursday is being counted as last day of Shaban month – eighth month of the Islamic calendar – and Friday, June 19 will be the first day of Ramzan.
Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset.
Greeting the Muslim community on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “May this Holy Month also enhance the spirit of harmony and togetherness in society.”
The month-long fasting will culminate in the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations next month.
—PTI