Ramadan: The holy month of fasting, prayers & will

Bangalore, Aug 12: The holy month of Ramadan has begun for worldwide community of Muslims, who will be observing it with fasting, prayer and spend a large part of the days reading the holy book, Quran.

After the customary moon-sighting, Ramzan officially began with night long prayers held on Wednesday, Aug 11.

Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, is also known as the month of the Quran. This is due to the belief the holy book was given to the mankind during this month. The month is also meant to remind those who follow Islam of their duty as a Muslim by keeping away from worldly temptations to tame the mind and determination.

Those who observe Ramzan take food before dawn (suhur) and abstain from eating and drinking anything till they break their fast (iftar) at sundown.

While the weather across India is rather favourable for fasting as the monsoon and lower temperatures will keep away the risk of dehydration, the Muslim community in the Middle East are reeling under sweltering heat making it difficult for those who fast.

As per the Muslim calender, the holy month begins on Aug 12, 2010 and ends on Sep 10.

This year, Ramadan started comparatively earlier. However, there was some confusion over the exact starting date.

While Sunni Muslims began fasting at dawn Wednesday, Aug 11, Shi'ites are began Thursday, Aug 12, reported VoANews.

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