BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
The Bangsamoro Darul Ifta has officially declare that the holy month of Ramadan will commence on Thursday, March 23, 2023, where 1.8 billion Muslim will observe it. Bangsamoro Jurist and Deputy Mufti Abdulrauf Guialani announced this on Tuesday night after receiving reports from regional noon-sighting committees across BARMM.
In a document furnish to Manila Times , stated that said groups tasked by Darul Ifta have performed what they were assigned to do, and then finally, the result of the moonsighting is that the moon-crescent has not been sighted.
Based on this, the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta’ has decided that the beginning of Ramadhan will be on Thursday, 23rd of March, 2023 In sha Allah,” the Deputy Mufti said.
Accordingly, the date of the start of Ramadhan varies in different areas or regions, as the Hadith of Allah’s Messenger says, “Fast when you see it (the crescent of Ramadan) and break the fast when you see it (the crescent of Shawwal).”
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. During this period, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. Ramadan is also a time for self-discipline, spiritual reflection, and acts of charity.
The Darul Ifta encourages all Muslims in BARMM to observe Ramadan in accordance with Islamic teachings, and to use the holy month as an opportunity to deepen their faith, increase their acts of charity, and seek forgiveness from Allah.
Meantine, former Lanao del sur governor Aleem Basher Mostagbal Manalao a learned Ulama said Ramadan has been celebrated for centuries in Islam. Followers believe that it was the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar that Prophet Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Islam holy book, which became the Quran.
During Ramadan, Muslims (with the exception of children, the elderly , the sick and pregnant woman) abstain from food, drink and other activities during daylight hours, Manalao stress Imam Yasser Mohammad of Iligan City said Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted and the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar begins.
The conclusion of the observance comes with a celebration known as Eid Al- Fitr- the Feast of Fasting Breaking. It starts the day after Ramadan ends and last for three days. Special prayers are said , and gifts are often exchange.
In MIndanao State University System, President Basari D. Mapupuno issued Memorandun declaring Wednesday March 22 as non-working holiday in observance of the 2023 Ramadan, Executive Vice President Dr. Rasid Paca said this is to gave chance to all Muslim students and employees joins with their family relatives in their respective home towns to prepare for the observance of Ramadan.
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