MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 15 May) – Muslims in the Philippines will start observing the month of Ramadan on Tuesday, May 17, after the sighting of the new moon.
The ninth month of the Islamic or Hijrah calendar, Ramadan is dedicated to prayer, fasting and reading of the Qur’an from sunup to sundown.
The month marks the time that Prophet Mohammad is said to have revealed the Qur-an, Islam’s holy book which contains the teachings of Allah.
During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn until sunset daily. They refrain from eating, drinking liquids, engaging in sexual relations, and any behavior that is considered sinful.
In countries where Islam is a major religion the first day of Ramadhan is declared a holiday.
It is usually declared as a special non-working holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and select provinces and cities in Mindanao. (MindaNews)
