Moon elusive, Ramadan from Thursday

The crescent moon signalling the beginning of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, remained elusive on Tuesday. Consequently, Thursday will be the first day of roza (fasting).

The Karnataka Moon Sighting Committee, comprising senior clerics from the community, met at Darussalam on Queen’s Road here at 7.30 pm on Tuesday. Senior cleric Maulana Qadeer Ahmed Ada-ul Amiri chaired the meeting. Masood Abdul Qader, a member of the committee, said: “As the moon was not sighted, roza will be from Thursday.”

Notwithstanding the non-sighting of the moon, several shops in places like Johnson Market, Shivajinagar, Mosque Road, et al buzzed with activity, wearing a festive look.

As the City gears up to welcome the sacred month in which Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days (depending upon the sighting of the crescent moon), several organisations and homes will host Iftaar, the fast-breaking meals for believers and non-believers alike. Haleem, the special dish prepared during Ramadan and Muharram, attracts foodies to joints at Johnson Market, Mosque Road and Shivajinagar while lesser-known places will have their share of customers too.

Considered the month of introspection and self-restraint, similar to the month of Lent observed by Christians, Ramadan culminates with Eid-ul-Fitr, a day of feasting and the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.