Ramadhan begins in Jammu and Kashmir

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori,Yawar Shafi )

Srinagar 30-Jun-2014

Amid scorching heat and religious fervour, the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadhan began in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday with Muslims fasting from pre-dawn till dusk.Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic Calendar known as ‘Hijri’ where in it is obligatory or ‘Fardh’ on adult Muslims to abandon food and liquid from Sehri (pre-dawn meals) till Iftar (sunset).With intense heat in valley, those on fast would have to refrain from eating and drinking for about sixteen hours – which is one of the longest after three decades.

On the first day of Ramadhan, the valley mosques and shrines saw huge rush of people. At many places, people were seen praying outside Mosque buildings in compounds and gardens.“It is a month of blessings. Every Muslim must seek Allah’s blessings and repent,” Farooq Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, told GNS.“Fasting doesn’t mean to abandon food and water but one should abandon all the wrongdoings,” said a cleric from an Old City seminary. 

In markets, the sale of dates – both foreign and Indian – also increased with people buying various brands and qualities from various markets of the city including Maharaj Gunj, Maharaja Bazar, Kokar Bazar and Court Road. Many people complained that the prices of fruits and vegetables have gone up with the beginning of Ramadhan.“It was extra-ordinary day. The customers were in high number and most of them were buying dates and juices,” Muhammad Sajid Khan, who works at a Provisional Store in Old City, told GNS.However, the rush of people and vehicles was seen less on city roads as compared to other days, witnesses told GNS. “It is hot outside and most of the people, who are on fast, refrain from moving from one to another place except when there is something important,” Rouf Ahmad, who owns a garment shop in Old City, told GNS.