MARAWI CITY (PIA)–The Islamic religious authority in the Bangsamoro region announced that the holy month of Ramadhan will officially begin on Tuesday, April 13.
“By virtue of the authority vested in me as Mufti of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), I hereby announce that we will start fasting on this blessed month of Ramadhan on Tuesday, April 13, 2021,” Sheikh Abuhuraira Udasan, Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta Executive Director and Grand Mufti of the Bangsamoro, declared Sunday night.
The Darul Ifta deployed a group to perform moonsighting on April 11. In coordination with different Ulama groups, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) also dispatched its moonsighting committees from Regional and Provincial Offices to do the same.
However, they all reported that the new moon was not visible Sunday evening prompting authorities to declare the start of Ramadhan in the country on April 13.
During Ramadhan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk for 29 to 30 days. They eat an early meal called Suhoor and break the fast with an evening meal or Iftar.
Ramadhan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims and the best time to reflect, grow spiritually and build a stronger relationship with Allah (God) by praying and reciting the Qur’an.
The act of fasting is also meant to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate, to practice self-restraint, and show compassion to the poor and needy.
Fasting during Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam along with the declaration of faith, performing daily prayers, giving charity, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Kingdon of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra declared April 13, 2021 as a special non-working holiday in the entire city in observance of the start of Ramadhan. (APB/PIA-ICIC)
