CAPE TOWN, May 27 (NNN-SABC) — The new moon has been sighted at the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town, heralding the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, as members of South Africa’s Muslim community gathered on the promenade shortly after sunset to observe the rising of the moon.

The moon was sighted here Friday at Granger Bay, in Signal Hill, Bakoven, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabth. All over South Africa, they have sighted the moon.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar and is regarded as the holiest. During the month, Muslims will abstain from drinking, eating and all worldly pleasures from dawn until sunset. The fasting is also used for spiritual renewal and a time for giving to the poor.

Imam Yusuf Pandy from the Crescent Observers of South Africa, confirmed the sighting. The almighty Allah has ordered us to fast for 29 or 30 days during the month of Ramadan. We’ll feel how some people that are poor … they have no food … we must feel that hunger. It is ordered by the almighty that when we have enough, we must share with those who haven’t got.

Students from the Cape Town Islamic Education Centre, studying to become Imams also joined the observers.

The principal of the institute, Moulana Seyed Imran Ziyaee, said: It’s very important, in fact not just for Ramadan, but it is the tradition that the beloved Prophet Muhammed that we must go out on the last night and go and sight the moon. So, on a monthly basis we try to encourage and teach them practically to go and sight the moon. So, as upcoming Imams, it’s part of their training process.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK