Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, will begin tomorrow, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, President of Fatehpuri Royat Hilal Committee said on Thursday. [related-post] Had the new moon been sighted yesterday, Ramzan would have started today. But since that did not happen, today is being counted as last day of Shaban month -eighth month of the Islamic calendar - and tomorrow, June 19 will be the first day of Ramzan. Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. Greeting the Muslim community on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "May this Holy Month also enhance the spirit of harmony and togetherness in society." The month-long fasting will culminate in the Id-ul-Fitr celebrations next month.
