EON

Muslims Begin Islamic Ramadan Month With Hope

Cairo- As conflicts around the world continue, the hopes and dreams of Muslims around the world are heightened as the beginning of Ramadan has arrived.

The start of the holiest month in the Muslim Calendar is marked by the sighting of the lunar new moon, and this means that for many Muslims the holy period begins at dawn either Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.

The Muslim beliefs dictate that adherents abstain from drink, food and sex from dawn to sundown each day during Ramadan, and staying away from violence is also one of the beliefs.

The lunar month that marks the Ramadan celebration also allows for the consumption of “Iftar,” meals of celebration after sundown during the holy period.

This type of feast meal has been made difficult in some areas of the world because of current ongoing food shortages and crisis.

In Pakistan the government noted the holy period by stopping a major military campaign against the Taliban in recognition of the Ramadan period.

The holy period was marked in Iraq by US Military handing over the control of Anbar province to local Iraqi Security Forces.

The Ramadan period is being celebrated in Iraq for the first time in many areas, because in the past the fighting and battle did not allow for much of a celebration.

Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri Al- Maliki has said that the overall fight against terrorists in his country is being won, and that Iraq has much to celebrate and be thankful for during this holy period.