Muslims in Kerala will fast from dawn to sunset beginning Tuesday as the Ramadan newmoon was sighted at some places, including Ponnani, on Monday evening. Major Kazis (Islamic legal scholars) confirmed the sighting of the Ramzan crescent.
The ninth month of Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, is the holiest month for Muslims. They fast during the day, recite the Koran, and attend different prayer sessions, including Tharaveeh and Witr.
Ramzan fasting is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that it was in Ramzan that God began and concluded revealing the Koran to Prophet Mohammed in different phases. They believe that the gates of heaven will be open and the gates of hell will be closed during Ramzan.
