Hyderabad: The Central Ruiyat-e-Hilal Committee confirmed that the crescent was not sighted on Friday. This means the holy month of Ramzan commences from Sunday.
Led by Maulana Qubool Pasha Shuttari, members of the committee scoured the sky, unsuccessfully, to sight the moon from atop the Hussaini Building at Moazzam Jahi Market.
The first taraveeh will be offered after dusk prayers on Saturday, while the time for the first sehri will end at 4.11 am in Hyderabad on Sunday.
First day Ramzan fast to last for 14 hours
The day-long fast will end at 6.51 pm, a total of 14 hours and 40 minutes. By the middle of the month, the rozas will stretch to 14 hours 49 minutes. The long duration of the fast, and the intense summer heat, will test the resolve, spirit and stamina of the rozadaars (persons who fast), young and old alike.
All healthy Muslims are required to go without food and water through the day, and abstain from all forms of pleasure during the fast. While fasting is compulsory as soon as a Muslim reaches the age of puberty, the ailing, elderly and pregnant are exempted. However, they have to fast whenever they regain health, or feed the poor in case of the elderly.
While prepubescent boys and girls eagerly wait for Ramzan to observer fasting, most parents are worried how they would cope with the heat and resultant exhaustion. “My son observed roza for some days last Ramzan. Now that he close to puberty, it’s time he fasts the entire month. Initially, the intense heat will make this difficult, but I am confident he will manage to fast through the month,” says Arshad Ahmed Khan, father of a 12-year-old Habeeb Ahmed Khan.
Mr Ghulam Dastagir, an Old City resident. says that he is worried that his daughter Hajira Fatima, 9, may not be that strong-willed. “She is eagerly waiting for Ramzan. But I doubt she would be able to continue her fast till the end of the day,” he said.
Maulana Afzal Ali Shah, who heads Madarsa-e-Barkatiya, said that people like Mr Dastagir don’t need to worry. “It is only after a person hits puberty that strict rules regarding fasting apply. If a grownup breaks his fast midway through the day, he or she will have to fast continuously for 60 days. Prepubescents are exempted from this rule,” the maulana said. Mr Khan says that the summer is also a blessing since his son won’t be attending school due to the vacations. “A Muslim is not allowed to laze around during the fast, he has to stick to his daily routine. Since summer vacations are on, Habeeb won’t be stressed too much,” he said.
Meanwhile, 10-year-old Atif Baig is not happy that Ramzan is coinciding with his summer holidays. “If I keep fast, I won’t be able to play cricket,”he grumbles.
