Fasting for Ramadan to begin on Saturday

Muslims in Sri Lanka are scheduled to commence fasting for Ramadan on Saturday (27), the Colombo Grand Mosque announced.

The Colombo Grand Mosque made the declaration after the new moon was sighted today (26).

Accordingly, the fasting will begin at dawn on the 27.

Muslims all over the world will begin fasting either on Saturday (27) or Sunday (28), depending on the moon sighting.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a holy period of fasting - one of the five pillars of Islam - and spiritual growth for Muslims.

The holy month of Ramadan is commemorated as the month in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.