Holy month of Ramzan to begin amid great fervour

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The much-awaited and widely cherished festival of the Muslim community, during which devotees observe a month-long fast, is set to begin soon.

The sighting of the holy crescent moon, which marks the commencement of the sacred month of Ramzan, is expected on Wednesday evening. Subject to the moon being sighted, Muslim devotees will begin observing the fast from Thursday.

Preparations for the one-month long fasting have now reached the final stage, and those observing the fast have already planned their schedules for the coming month. Markets are witnessing a surge in shopping activity. Special ‘Taraweeh’ prayers have been organised at all mosques across the city during the night.

As Ramzan falls in February this year, devotees are expected to face comparatively less heat. Regardless of rising temperatures, those observing the fast do not forgo it. Preparations for Ramzan have been ongoing for several days. The moon is expected to be sighted on Wednesday evening, after which an official announcement will be made by the Hilal Committee. Thereafter, devotees will partake in Sehri (the pre-dawn meal) early on Thursday, marking the first fast of the month.

During Ramzan, Muslim-majority areas take on a distinctly devotional atmosphere, and markets too acquire a special vibrancy. Anticipating the moon sighting, residents have over the past two to three days thronged grocery shops, malls in the old city, along with dry fruit and fruit markets. Traffic congestion was reported in areas such as Shahganj, City Chowk, Buddhi Lane, Lota Karanja and Roshan Gate. Vendors have also begun setting up stalls selling a variety of food items. The crockery shops and dates shops in large numbers have also been set up in various corridors of the Muslim localities.

Call for devotees to engage in ‘Tilawat’

The first pre-dawn meal (Sehri) will be observed on Thursday. Offering the five daily prayers without fail, breaking the fast in the evening with Iftar, and performing the special Taraweeh prayers at night will form the daily routine of those observing the fast. In addition, many devotees engage in Tilawat (recitation) of the Holy Quran. It is believed that good deeds performed during Ramadan are rewarded seventyfold compared to ordinary days. Maulana Nasimoddin Miftahi of Jamia Islamia Kashif-ul-Uloom has appealed to devotees to remain deeply engaged in remembrance (Zikr) and recitation (Tilawat) throughout the holy month.

High demand for dates

Devotees traditionally break their fast each evening by eating dates. Consequently, dry fruit shops across the city have witnessed heavy crowds purchasing dates and other items. A huge variety of dates are available in the market. Traders have stocked a wide variety of dates in large quantities for sale.