New Delhi, February 18 Ramadan fasting will begin on Thursday in India, as the crescent moon marking the start of the fasting month was sighted in various parts of the country on Wednesday.
Following the sighting of the moon, the holy month begins, and for the next 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.
The Shahi Imam of Chandni Chowk's Fatehpuri mosque, Maulana Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, announced that the crescent moon had been sighted, and the month of fasting will begin on February 19.
The Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, also declared that the moon had been sighted.
During this month, a special prayer called Taraweeh is offered in mosques in the evening. In this prayer, the entire Quran is recited, and it continues until the sighting of the Eid moon.
Mufti Mukarram has appealed to the Muslim community to "pray as much as possible for the well-being of the 140 crore people of the country".