Ramadan 2020 India: Moon sighted in Kozhikode, Kerala to observe first fast on Friday

New Delhi : With moon getting sighted in Kappad area of Kozhikode as well as Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Kerala will start observing the first fast of Ramadan on Friday. Beginning Ramadan ahead of the rest of the country due to its geographical location, Kerala would begin the Ramadan fasts from Friday, April 24.

This year, there will be no Taraweeh or the special Ramadan prayers anywhere in the world, a move to stop public gathering to contain the coronavirus.

Taraweeh is offered in mass congregation post the Isha namaz and this will be the first time in years when Muslims will be offering it at home instead of the mosques.

According to a report in Al Riyadh, Dr Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, was quoted saying, “The suspension of performing the five daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of Taraweeh prayers. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept Taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept prayers from all of us and protect humanity from this epidemic that hit the entire world.”

The interesting fact about the Ramadan is that it is celebrated according to the Islamic calendar which follows the moon. Since lunar months are shorter than solar months, Muslims holy month of Ramadan, which takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic year, occurs approximately 11 days earlier every year depending on when the moon is sighted and hence, varying from country to country by about a day.

The prime motive behind Ramadan is to attain freedom from all the temptations, extreme emotions, addictions and otherworldly desires to give one a sense of self-control and strong will-power. During the fasting days, people also practice not to get into false speech, insulting, cursing, lying and fighting.