This annual observance, starting from April 14 and ending on May 12 this year, is one among the five pillars of Islam.

Fasting will begin tomorrow (April 14) in the valley of Kashmir, as the crescent moon of Ramadan has been sighted, according to Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam.

Moon sightings have been reported from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Grand Mufti.

“The moon marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan has been sighted,” he said, adding, “The holy month will begin on Wednesday, April 14.”

“We’ve had a lot of testimonies,” he said, while informing that the first Tarawih prayer will be held tonight, on April 13.

Interestingly, Ramadan starts on April 14, a Wednesday, and ends on May 12, also a Wednesday, this year. This annual observance is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.

As the holy month of Ramadan starts, the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board has been directed to impose a fine against those violating the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in mosques.

“Waqf shall ensure that all COVID-19 SOP’s are followed in the Masjids controlled by the Waqf Board. Besides, Secretary Red Cross shall issue receipt books to the Waqf Board for the imposition of a fine to those who violate COVID-19 norms in the Masjids,” read the minutes of a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole, last week to finalize the arrangement for Ramadan.

The government has also instructed the Board to ensure the availability of masks for those coming to mosques for prayers. The Waqf has been directed to deploy concerned medical officers for the implementation of COVID-19 protocols.

For the last many days, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a substantial surge in its daily COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, its daily COVID-19 crossed the 1200-mark (1269) with three new deaths.

On Monday (April 12), Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed senior police and administration officials to facilitate religious functions and offering of prayers during the corona curfew period in holy month of Ramadan.

The LG’s directives came after some religious organizations appealed to the administration to ensure that the prayers are allowed during the corona curfew hours.

“Have directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to facilitate observance of prayers/religious functions during the holy month of Ramadan during curfew timings, wherever necessary (sic),” the LG said on his office’s Twitter handle.

Jammu and Kashmir administration imposed the night curfew in eight districts of the Union Territory from Friday (April 9) in the wake of the spike in COVID-19 cases.

It is worth noting that Ramadan is observed for the duration of a full moon cycle, which is normally 29 or 30 days. The length of the moon observation is predetermined.

It lasts between one crescent moon observation and the next. Ramadan is said to be the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation.

All adult Muslims must fast unless they are ill, travelling, going through their menstrual cycle, pregnant, diabetic, or elderly. The pre-dawn meal is referred to as ‘Suhur’ or ‘Sehri’, and the feast that happens after a fast is broken at night is referred to as ‘Iftar’.

Millions of Muslims around the world will celebrate the second Ramadan in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.