Malegaon: The holy month of Ramadan will begin in India from Saturday, July 21, 2012. It was announced by moon sighting committees after confirmed reports of sighting of the crescent moon were reported from South Indian states.

Mumbai, Malegaon and part of Maharashtra and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, however, have declared that the holy month of fasting would commence from Sunday.

"Sighting of the moon is reported from various parts of Karnataka", Mufti Tauqueer of Darul Uloom Deoband said to ummid.com.

"Relying on these reports it is decided to begin the Holy month of Ramadan from tomorrow, July 21", he added.

Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Delhi, Ahmed Bukhari, also declared commencing of Ramadan in Delhi from Saturday.

"The decision is taken based on the moon sighting reports from various parts of Karnataka", he said in a message sent to ummid.com.

Imarat-e-Shariah of Bihar also announced that the holy month would commence from Saturday. "Fasting of Ramadan would begin from Saturday", the office of Imarat-e-Shariah of Bihar informed ummid.com. 

Reports of moon sighting is witnessed in Mysore by masses. Moon sighting is also reported from Bhatkal, Mangalore and other neighboring areas.

'Mumbai to fast from Sunday'

Earlier, there was a delay in announcing the moon sighting as there was no confirmed report from any place.

Shahi Imam and other clerics in fact had announced that Ramadan would begin Sunday. They however changed their decision relying on the reports of moon sighting in Karnataka and the decision taken by Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

Mumbai could not report the moon sighting due to heavy showers. A meeting of the Central Moon Sighting Committee was held after the reports of moon sighting were reported in other states. The meeting after more than two hours of deliberation declared that the holy month in Mumbai would beging from Sunday.

"Since there are no confirmed report of moon sighting from in and around Mumbai, hence it is being declared that the fasting of Ramadan will begin from Sunday", Mehmood Daryabadi, one of the members of the Moon Sighting Committee, said while talking to ummid.com.

Malegaon and part of Maharashtra along with Ahmedabad in Gujarat following the Mumbai decision also declared that they would begin the fast from Sunday.

"There are no confirmed report of moon sighting from the neighboring areas. Hence fasting of Ramadan will begin from Sunday", Shakeel Ahmed Faizee, president of Jamiat Ahlehadees, Malegaon said.

Some parts of Maharashtra like Nanded, Aurangabad and Pune following the decision taken by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have decided to begin the fast from Saturday.

The countries in Gulf including Saudi Arabia have already started Ramadan from July 20.

During the Holy month of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe fast in day-times and offer special prayers in the nights.

Considered as one of the most blessed months of the Islamic Calendar, Ramadan starts with the sighting of moon and ends after the moon completes a circle pronouncing the day of Eid al Fitr.

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Picture of the Day

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(Photo: ummid.com)