KATHMANDU, March 2: The holy month of Ramadan, a significant festival of Muslims, starts today. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
According to the Urdu calendar, fasting (Roza) begins before sunrise, i.e., before the morning prayer, with a light meal. Muslims break their fast in the evening when they hear the call to the Maghrib prayer.
Fasting, known as Roza, involves abstaining from food and drink. The fasting schedule changes with the times of sunrise and sunset. Muslims eat before the designated morning time and after the designated evening time.
The month of Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, according to the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims believe that Allah revealed the Quran and, therefore, seek Allah's blessings.
Charity, serving the poor and needy, and giving Zakat (almsgiving) are essential aspects of this month. Muslims believe that only by keeping the body pure can they fast properly. They take pride in observing the fast, which emphasizes sacrifice, devotion, and dedication. Children, the sick, those with life-threatening diseases, and pregnant women are exempt from fasting.