MOMBASA – Muslims across the globe are gearing up for the annual fast of Ramadhan, a period of dawn-to-dusk fasting that is set to commence on Monday, March 11, and conclude on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, culminating in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

According to Kenya News Agency, the start of Ramadhan depends on the sighting of the new moon, a practice that places the Muslim community’s attention on the skies this weekend for the Ramadhan moon sighting.

Fasting during Ramadhan represents one of Islam’s five pillars, alongside the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. This period is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture, demanding abstention from food, drinks, and other physical needs during the daylight hours as a means of purification and spiritual renewal.

Exemptions from fasting include children before puberty, the elderly, the sick, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and those menstruating. The month is a time for increased prayer, reflection, community bonding, and charity, with special nightly Taraweeh prayers held in mosques.

In Mombasa, mosques have initiated special sessions and classes to welcome the holy month, distributing timetables for the fasting period and organizing iftar dinners for the needy. Chief Kadhi Sheikh Abdulhalim Hussein Athman has called on Muslims in Kenya to observe the moon sighting this weekend, urging unity and respect for the directions provided by the office of the Chief Kadhi to avoid controversies that have marred the start of Ramadhan in the past.

Sheikh Athman highlighted the spiritual significance of fasting, focusing on willpower, faith development, and communal harmony. A dedicated moon sighting committee has been established to announce the commencement and conclusion of Ramadhan officially. The Sheikh also emphasized Ramadhan’s broader significance beyond fasting, including the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, and encouraged the well-off to assist the less fortunate during this time.

The observance of Ramadhan is not only a time for spiritual discipline but also an opportunity for Muslims to empathize with those less fortunate, promoting a spirit of generosity and community support. Sheikh Aboud Mohamed of Jundan Mosque echoed these sentiments, underscoring the fast’s purpose in fostering closeness to Allah and awareness of the hardships faced by others.

As Ramadhan approaches, Muslims are encouraged to prepare for a month of mercy, prayer, and communal harmony, reflecting on the spiritual and social dimensions of their faith.