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Muslims mark start of Ramadan
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by Rachel Nixon | September 1, 2008 at 12:26 pm
980 views | 29 Recommendations | 20 comments
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Muslims around the world are observing the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
The exact time of the beginning of the holiday depends on when the crescent moon is sighted around the world.
The first day of fasting began Monday in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, as well as the United States and the majority of the Middle East. Muslims in Libya marked the start of Ramadan Sunday, and Iran will begin to observe the fasting month Tuesday.
During Ramadan, Muslims awaken long before the pre-dawn call to prayer. Eating and drinking is a priority in those early hours, because once the sun rises, a day of fasting begins.
Muslims are expected to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations until sunset, when the fast is broken with a meal called "iftaar."
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians observed the start of Ramadan Monday under the strain of an Israeli blockade, in place since Hamas seized control of the territory last year. Pakistan's government marked Ramadan with the suspension of a major military operation against militants in the country's northwest.
In Iraq, Sunni Muslims began the month of fasting Monday, while most Shi'ite Iraqis are expected to begin Tuesday. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for peace and security throughout the month.
In Pakistan, the adviser to the prime minister on the interior, Rehman Malik, said all military operations would be suspended for the holy month.
Referring to the ongoing operation in Bajaur tribal agency, Malik said that the forces were targeting hideouts of militants and they were working on qualitative intelligence reports.
He also disclosed that the government have moved 500,000 people to safe area in Bajaur Agency. The government provided the refugees food, medicines and camps, he said.
The local Taliban had earlier announced unilateral ceasefire last week but the government rejected the offer and had continued operation.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (20)
at 13:12 on September 1st, 2008
Egyptian Store selling Music tools and some Accessories
ahmed_eldaly96 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:40 on September 1st, 2008
The month of ramadan began. This is the most important month of the year where you can erase all your sins and get a new start.
Make Dua, pray on time, read the Quran no matter how little of it you read. Whatever you do, remember you are being benefitted most.
This picture was taken to wish all my brothers and sisters in Islam a very happy Ramadan.
May Allah Guide us all.
fuad has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:52 on September 1st, 2008
Interesting stuff and some fantastic pictures. Pardon my ignorance, but what is it Ramadan marks?
at 14:18 on September 1st, 2008
Here are a couple of links - they explain more eloquently than I can what Ramadan marks.
Ramadan on the Net
Ramadan on Wikipedia
Perhaps some of our members can also add in their own experiences of Ramadan?
at 14:26 on September 1st, 2008
DOH!
I could have thought of that. Thanks for the links. Sorry, I am going back and forth between stuff and went totally clueless, as opposed to the usual state of mostly clueless.
However, some personal accounts would be interesting.
Yours in abashment,
d
at 15:25 on September 1st, 2008
Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 15:41 on September 1st, 2008
Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thank you.
at 16:56 on September 1st, 2008
This is the Holy Quraan
al_khuzaie has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:04 on September 1st, 2008
The first day of holy month of Ramadan began Monday in Malaysia.
Ramadan Mubarak to all of Muslims around the world.
who5ein has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:26 on September 1st, 2008
dunkelberg, fasting is supposed to teach patience and humility but lesser mortals generally find themselves behaving badly and are ill-tempered. in karachi we have severe traffic jams, etc as people rush home closer to iftar time which is at sunset. anyway, this is a good time for retail businesses. bazaars and shopping malls remain open throughout the night after the 15th of the month as hectic shopping activity begins in preparation for the Eid festival on the 1st of Shawwal (the month that follows Ramadan). beauty parlours too remain crowded!
at 19:49 on September 1st, 2008
Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff.
In the First World War on Christmas the opposing warring soldiers of both the German and French Army meet and shared the little they had including stories and pictures as well as addresses and Wine, celebrating Christmas together in peace and friendship and yet the next day all went back into the trenches of Verdun and shot at each other again, doing their Duty as they said.
at 19:57 on September 1st, 2008
Great Article Rachel
at 20:07 on September 1st, 2008
Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff. I added a photo of tonight's crescent moon with palms trees from Phoenix, Arizona.
at 20:14 on September 1st, 2008
Thank you all for the flags, comments and great photos.
at 20:49 on September 1st, 2008
Eventhough its the least thing (food) that one should think about. But the month makes me all the more appreciative of all the yummy stuff - every little taste and every little bite. :)
The first day is always the worst for me but my favourite is the day before eid fitri where everyone gathers at my grandfather's house and we cook beef rendang, ketupat, kuah kacang, kari itik, laksa etc -- oh gosh...
Happy ramadhan y'all. :)
at 00:10 on September 2nd, 2008
Ramadan Mubarik to all Muslim world and everyone.
May Allah bless us in this holy month all his kindness and forgive us our sins. All muslims should get together and work on spreading peace. We should show the world we are not terrorist. How we can? When we have peacefull months and very nobel history. Allah gave us one more chance to get facilitate with all Ramadan blessings.
May Allah spread peace all over the world. Ameen.
muhammedrzza has contributed a photo to this story.
at 00:34 on September 2nd, 2008
Ramadan Mubarak all
at 06:34 on September 2nd, 2008
lesser mortals generally find themselves behaving badly and are ill-tempered.
Many Christians have the same trouble keeping the "Christmas spirit" during the days approaching that holiday.
Thanks to you and the rest for a look inside the holiday.
at 11:44 on September 2nd, 2008
We hope the ramadan of this year will take its real feature which is the peace, the love and integration between and within all the religions. And it will be the beginning of the peace in the world.
Ali, Algerian
Hamlet_82 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:01 on September 4th, 2008
A mosque from Bahrain
Isa Alwatani has contributed a photo to this story.