The holy month of Ramadan, the period in which Muslim faithfuls across the globe embark on a 30-day fasting season, is set to start on Thursday, March 23rd, according to the Director of Sharia at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC).
According to Dr. Ziyad Swallah Lubanga, the Director of Sharia at UMSC, Taraweeh prayers at the National Mosque and other mosques across the country will commence every evening at 08:30 p.m.
Lubanga said that the Islamic seminars, known as Darasas, will be conducted at the national mosque every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is also a time for self-reflection and spiritual growth.
“Ramadan, which is a month-long observance of fasting from dawn to dusk, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan is also a time for self-reflection and spiritual growth. Despite being one of the 12 months in the Islamic calendar, the timing of Ramadan varies each year due to the lunar calendar being shorter than the Gregorian calendar by approximately ten days,” he said.
Muslims around the world rely on the testimony of moon-sighters to establish the beginning of Ramadan and other months in the Islamic calendar. It is believed that for the crescent to be visible, it should set after the sun.