by Zafar Hussain

 

BEIJING, April 13 (China Economic Net) - Millions of Muslims in China and around the world will start the fasting month of Ramadan on Tuesday, while Pakistan declared that Ramadan would not begin on Wednesday based on a moon-sighting methodology.

 

Saudi Arabia and UAE also announced that the first Ramadan would start on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, and this year the month of Ramadan will be decidedly different from previous ones, as the novel coronavirus epidemic has stopped many of the activities around the globe including religious places.

 

The holiest places for Muslims in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah are effectively empty as these city’s populations are under a full curfew to control the spreading of the coronavirus.

 

Talking to China Economic Net, on the occasion of Ramadan, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque sends his warmest wishes to Pakistani Community and Muslims across China and the world.

 

“I'm pleased to send my greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Pakistani Embassy to all Muslims and partially Pakistani based in China; Ramadan is an amazing and important time of the year,” said the Ambassador.

 

The month of Ramadan traditionally begins with the crescent moon's sighting and is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramadan observed by Muslims around the globe lasts for 29 or 30 days (lunar cycle) and is dependent on the Hijri or Islamic calendar.

 

During daylight hours in Ramadan, Muslims (except children, pregnant women, the sick, travelers and the elderly) must abstain from eating, drinking, sex, gossip, and certain other activities and are encouraged to focus on meditative acts like prayer, reading the Koran and charity.

 

Fasting during Ramadan is one of Islam's five mandatory pillars, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, annual charity, and performing the haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Muslims donate their annual charity, known as “zakat”, during Ramadan.