Mumbai: More than 2.5 million people attended prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Friday, the first day of Ramadan, said a media report.

The Makkah mosque received the largest number of worshippers on Friday that included thousands of pilgrims from within the Kingdom and abroad to perform Umrah during the holy month, Arab News reported Sunday.
 

About 28,000 security officers have been deployed inside and outside the Grand Mosque to ensure the safety of worshippers.
 

Maj. Gen. Jameel Arbaeen, director of Civil Defense in Makkah, said some old pilgrims who fainted while performing circumambulation (tawaf) around the Kaaba were given first aid.

The holy month of fasting, Ramadan, began around the world on Friday and Saturday. The Islamic calnedar works on lunar system and beginning of a month is decided by sighting of the moon crescent.

While Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAR began fasting from Friday, some Gulf Nations including Oman announced began counting the days of Ramadan from Saturday.

In major parts of South Asia including Indian and Pakistan Ramadan began from Saturday. In some parts of India including Mumbai and part of Maharashtra Ramadan began from Sunday as these parts could not see the moon on Friday. 

 

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Picture of the Day

Muslims go to Makkah al Mukarrema in Saudi Arabia for Umrah entire year other than Haj times. However, during Ramadan, number of Umrah visitors increases manifold. According to a rough estimate, over 2.5 million Muslims come from across the world to Makkah al Mukarrema for Umrah during Ramadan.

(Photo: ummid.com)