Bangsamoro Mufti declares start of Ramadan on March 12

FILE PHOTO: Filipino Muslims pray inside a mosque in Cotabato City in this file photo taken on April 3, 2022, as they start observing the first full day of Ramadan. Ramadan will end after a month when Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, an Arabic term that means “festival of breaking the fast.” INQUIRER/JEOFFREY MAITEM

COTABATO CITY — The holy month of Ramadan will start on Tuesday, March 12, after the moonsighting conducted by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta Sunday evening failed to sight the moon, a key celestial marker for the start of the holy month for Muslims.

Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani, the Bangsamoro Jurist (Mufti), officially declared the start of Ramadan on March 12.

“By the authority vested in me, the crescent moon was not sighted today; therefore, Ramadan fasting will officially begin on Tuesday,” Guialani said.

Ramadan is a sacred month in the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity.

For 30 days, Muslims will adhere to a strict daily fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from consuming food or water during daylight hours.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong said Muslims celebrate Ramadan to grow spiritually and strengthen theirrelationship with Allah.

“It is a month of great importance to us, marked by fasting, prayer and acts of charity,” he said.