“It’s a spiritual journey that starts with the first day of Ramadan and accumulates at the 27th of Ramadan which is the holiest night of this month”, Awadallah said.
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Most of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims will start the holiday Monday evening, including in the countries of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, home to world’s most Muslims. The dawn to dusk fast during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
A Pakistani beautician paints a hand of a customer with henna ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Islamabad, Pakistan. Drinking, smoking, sexual activity and impure thoughts and words are forbidden. Each day’s fast comes to an end with a meal known as “iftar” consumed after sunset.
The Prophet Muhammad was reportedly quoted as saying, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained”.
Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. greeted Filipino Muslims and urged them to “rise above the barriers of different cultures and faith”.
As the Muslims welcomed the Holy month in Jamia Mosque Nairobi, they said they spend more money than during the normal days.
Kvirikashvili released a special statement wishing Muslims in Georgia wealth, longevity, success, and peace of mind as they embark on a month of dedicated fasting. A single sip of water or a puff of a cigarette is enough to invalidate the fast.
Muslims believe Ramadan to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago.
Mr Mohammed, who was born in Fiji and is the president of the Islamic Society of Albury-Wodonga, said fasting put things into perspective. And this year, the month of Ramadan coincides once again with the summer solstice and the longest days of the year. In the depths of winter the daily fast can be as short as eight hours, compared with more than 19 hours in some places this year.
During Ramadan, Muslims will break the fast each night, often at community gatherings at mosques.
The sick, elderly, young children, anyone who is travelling a long distance, and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating are all exempt from fasting.
During Ramadan, Muslims will read the Quran to receive guidance from God.
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The final day of Ramazan, Eid al-Fitr (the festival of fast-breaking), is a major family event marked by feasting and celebration.
