KOZHIKODE: Muslims of Malabar region began Ramadan fasting on Thursday as confirmations were made by different Qasis. The confirmations came after the Ramadan crescent was sighted on Wednesday.
The Qasis declared the starting of the holy month on the basis of sighting of the new moon at Kappad beach in Kozhikode district at around 7.30 pm on Wednesday.
Mujahid sections and Jama’ate Islami will also start fasting from Thursday.The Qasis, while announcing the Ramadan opening, exhorted believers to respect the sanctity of Ramadan by engaging in prayers and extending helping hands to those who are destitute. They urged the Muslim community to keep away from the activities which denigrate the spirit of the holy month and actively engage in charity, by financially helping the underprivileged.
The Qasis included Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Syed Mohammed Koya Jamalullaili, K V Imbichahammed and Panakkad Nasir Abdul Hayy Shihabudheen, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Cherussery Zainuddin Musliar, All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musliyar, Syed Ibrahim Khaleelul Bukhari and Chithari Hamza Musliyar.