Muslims expect Ramadan moon today

By Umaru Kashaka  

Muslims across the world will eye the sky this Tuesday evening for the crescent moon on the eve of Ramadan, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset for 29 or 30 days.

Ramadan is the most religious time of the year for Muslims and in some Arab countries, scientists armed with telescopes scour the sky in search of the moon whenever the month approaches.

Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu, the director of sharia at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), has said that if the moon is not sighted Tuesday evening, then fasting will automatically commence on Thursday.

"If the moon is sighted today [Tuesday] evening, fasting will commence on Wednesday. If the moon is not sighted, then fasting will start on Thursday," Kakungulu said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Islamic calendar is based on a lunar calendar, which is 10 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.

Fasting is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam and is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.

The Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month and the actual night that the Qur'an was revealed is a night known as Lailut ul-Qadr ('The Night of Power').

While fasting, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.

Muslims are also advised to give up bad habits during Ramadan, such as lying, cursing, engaging in disagreements and backbiting.

Spiritual rewards (thawab) for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within this holy month of Ramadan.

Fasting typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.

It is common during Ramadan to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the iftar), directly after sunset.

Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, Muslim families often break the fast by coming together to