Ramadan in Kashmir

The first day of the holy month of Ramadan is being observed across India on Tuesday.

The first day of Ramadan is traditionally marked by the sighting of the crescent moon with the naked eye, and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

While confirming the sighting of the moon, J&K’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Sunday announced that the first day of fasting would be observed on 7 May 2019 across Jammu and Kashmir.

He greeted the people on the eve of Ramadan today and appealed them to help the downtrodden and other deserving persons.

Ramadan is regarded as the best month of the year for Muslims as it was the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on the night of Laylat Al Qadr, one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. The annual observance of Ramadan is considered one of the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’. Muslims believe that the reward of every good deed is multiplied during this month, so Ramzan is also a time for prayer, charity, reflection and abstaining from bad thoughts and deeds.

In Kashmir people gathered at mosques in large numbers on Monday late evening to offer special prayers known as “Namaze- Tarawi’.

In the wee hours of the morning people are alarmed by the sound of drums ,known as sehar khans ,who beat their drums to wake up people for their pre-dawn meals ,or sehari so that they can brace themselves for hours of fasting ahead during the holy month of Ramadan.

The markets of Srinagar can be seen flooded with varieties of fruits,vegetables,dates,babribyol drink(basil seeds),firni (semolina) and other delicacies,that people usually consume at iftaar( time when the day long fast is broken).

Most mosques and shrines also spread dasterkhwans (long sheets of cloth) and lay out an inviting iftar meal for all irrespective of religion,class etc.

Since charity is an integral part of this month, beggars often come knocking at houses in the Valley, seeking alms. Zakat and Sadqah are two forms of charity that are obligatory for all Muslims.

In Kashmir people welcome beggars in the month of Ramadaan and never return a beggar empty handed.

A common thing observed in Ramadan in the valley is considerable increase in the number  of trusts and NGO’s ,who visit door to door for donations. However, people donate generously in the form of money,clothes, etc and never verify the background of the organizations.This can be perhaps asserted to the style of simplicity that Kashmiris are known for.

Drawing the curtain on the auspicious month is the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr,which is celebrated after fasting for 29 or 30 days .