Muslims start Ramadhan fast as moon is sighted

By ABDULSAMAD ALI and JAMI MAKAN
Posted Monday, September 1 2008 at 19:58

Kenyan Muslims started fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadhan on Monday.

Although the announcement that the moon had been sighted in Bungoma and Mombasa, came late - at around 10.30pm on Sunday - the faithful immediately started preparations for the fast.

Chief Kadhi Sheikh Hammad Kassim called several FM radio stations to announce the sighting of the moon.

This year’s announcement was without controversy in what is believed to be efficient transmission of information that include the use of FM stations and text messages.

Sheikh Kassim said he would have made the announcement earlier had it not been for the fact that faithful jammed his phone trying to confirm the start of the fast.

“We were trying to get witnesses for both Mombasa and Bungoma but the phones were jammed,” he said. He pleaded on radio for the faithful to stop calling him to enable him contact certain people.

Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is considered to be one of the holiest months of the year.

The holy season begins with the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening following the new moon and lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle.

According to the Koran, Muslims are required to start the fast only after seeing the new moon.

Religious tolerance

President Kibaki on Monday called for religious tolerance between Kenya’s different faiths in his goodwill message to Muslims at the start of Ramadhan.

“I express my solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters and wish them all joy and peace during the holy month of Ramadhan,” he said in a statement released by his office.

“I appeal to you to pray for peace, unity and continued religious tolerance among all faiths in the country,” he added.

Around the world, governments have used Ramadhan as an opportunity to address new challenges and heal old wounds.

According to media reports, Pakistan’s military has suspended its operations against resurgent Taliban militants in the volatile northwest part of the country.

Israel has opened the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to some Palestinians and has allowed gifts to be taken to those being held in Israeli jails.
In Kenya, companies have marked the start of Ramadhan with special newspaper advertisements and offers.

Idd-ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting and is marked by feasting and celebration. (http://www.nation.co.ke)