Muslims in Malawi and around the world will onย either Sunday 31st of July or Monday 1st of August 2011 (depending on the sighting of the new moon),ย begin fasting in theย holy month ofย Ramadan.
During this month, observant Muslims fast between dawn and sunset, getting up each day in the pre-dawn hours to eat the suhoor, and then fasting until the evening prayer (maghrib), which is followed by iftar, meal.
Meanwhile,ย His Eminence Grand Mufti Qassim Abbasย has asked all Muslimsย in the country to fast in this month which he said is of incredible value.
“I would like to ask all Muslims in the country and around the world to welcome this important month with two handsย for us to getย all the blessings that Allahย bestows onย us in this month. We have to know that this month is important because it helps usย toย renew our faith and to repent ourย sins,” he said.
ย According to Islamic teachings, fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the most important duties in Islam, one that even the people of other denominations observe.
However, only children who hit puberty are allowed to fast, though many start building up to it when they’re younger with half-day fasts.ย Women who are pregnant or nursing, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions are also exempt from fasting.