Political leaders across North East (NE), including Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, have wished people from the Muslim community on the eve of the holy month of ramadan, which began on 7 May.
In a statement, Sonowal said that with the sighting of crescent moon ramadan month has begun on Monday where the people belonging to Islam community will be observing fast from dawn to dusk in their journey towards consciousness of God.
He said: “I greet the people of Assam belonging to Islam on the beginning of holy month Ramadan. I hope observance of the month leads to greater bonhomie and strengthens the bond of friendship and camaraderie”.
Governor of Assam, professor Jagdish Mukhi also greeted the people belonging to Islam on advent of holy month of ramadan.
In his message, Prof Mukhi said, “My warm greetings to the Muslim brethren of Assam and North East on the occasion of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month for Muslim community to observe dawn to dusk fast to cleanse the soul and come closer to God (Allah)”.
He added, “May this holy month of Ramadan bind us all together and spread peace, harmony and brotherhood in our state and the nation as a whole.”
As the month of ramadan began, the Government of Assam has permitted the state government employees belonging to Islam religion to leave office at 4.30 pm, which is half an hour earlier than the scheduled time, during the month of Ramadan, subject to condition that they will have to attend the office half an hour earlier at 9 am.
Apart from that, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma also took to Twitter to extend his ramzaan greetings. Conrad in his official Twitter handle wrote:
‘I extend my heartiest greetings to Muslims as they begin their month long Ramadan to testify their faith in almighty. May the Holy month of Ramadan teach each one of us to imbibe the true spirit of unity, peace and harmony.Happy Ramadan!’
While Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh tweeted:
‘Warm greetings to my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of holy month of Ramzaan (Ramadan). May it bring peace and happiness and enhance the spirit of harmonious living in the society.’
If you are just inquisitive about the fasting rules related to Ramadan, here’s a quick guide to help you:
1. Each adult Muslim, male or female, who has reached puberty and who is not sick or traveling should observe fast during Ramadan.
2. Women undergoing menses or post-natal bleeding are not allowed to fast. Pregnant women and mothers who are nursing babies can defer their fasting to a later time when they are able to do so.
3. Refrain from all false talks and deeds; avoid quarrels, disputes, arguments, and bad words during fasting tenure. Discipline yourself morally and ethically, and do not make a show of your fasting by talking too much about it, or by showing a bad temper.
4. Do acts of charity and goodness; increase your worship and reading the holy Quran. One should try to read the whole Quran at least once during the month of Ramadan.
5. The major themes of the holy month are sharing food, being emphatic to the needs of others, reading and memorising the Holy Quran and longer voluntary prayers in the night.
