KAMPALA, UGANDA: The holy month of Ramadan, the period in which Muslim faithful across the globe embark on a 30-day fasting season is set to start this weekend according to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council – UMSC.
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the UMSC acting director whose office is mandated to announce the start of fasting revealed that Ramadan is expected to commence tomorrow or Sunday depending on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Sheikh Waiswa urged Muslims to use the fasting period to repent and forgive those who wronged them as this is in fulfillment of the third pillar of the Islamic faith.
“As human beings, we are bound to make mistakes. This is the time to forgive each other, ask for Allah’s forgiveness and go forward,” he said in his Ramadan message.
Sheikh Muhammad Galabuzi, the newly appointed Supreme Mufti of Kibuli faction, urged Muslims to respect the period.
“I urge Muslims to use this period to strengthen their spirituality as well as praying for the increasing cases of immorality to reduce,” he said.
ABOUT RAMADAN
Muslim fasting is based on a special calendar [Lunar calendar], which begins when a thin crescent moon is sighted in the sky after sunset within a day or so after the new moon.
The Islamic calendar is about 11 days shorter than the widely used solar calendar. This explains why Muslim fasting and other Islamic holidays change each year.
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