Muslims start holy month of Ramadhan

Jun 06, 2016

Muslim fasting is based on a lunar calendar, which begins and ends when a thin crescent moon is sighted in the sky.

Muslims throughout the country will observe the fasting month beginning today.

The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) director of sharia, sheikh, Ibrahim Kakungulu, made the announcement on Sunday.

Muslim fasting is based on a lunar calendar, which begins and ends when a thin crescent moon is sighted in the sky. This explains why Muslim fasting months change every year.

During this period, Muslims are not supposed to eat, drink or engage in sexual activity from dawn until sunset.

Messages from clerics

The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje, has urged Muslims as they observe fasting, to pray for peace, unity, and coexistence in the country.

He also expressed concerns over the delayed trial of the Muslim clerics accused of masterminding the murder of fellow Muslim clerics in the country.

"I urge the directorate of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary to expedite their case so that Muslims and their families get to know their status in regard to the murder, " he said.

The suspects include the leader of the Tabliq sect, Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Kamoga.

Mubajje also asked Muslims to share with the needy during this month in order to benefit from it.

Supreme Mufti sheikh Siliman Kasule Ndirangwa, who leads the Kibuli sect, asked the Muslims to use this period to ensure spiritual renewal.

Ndirangwa also called on market vendors not to hike the prices of the commodities commonly consumed by Muslims during fasting such as fruits.

He said sheikhs and Imams should teach believers the values of fasting as this will help them learn their religion and get blessings from Allah.

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