By Martha Nakimuli Muslims have today started the holy month of
Ramadan. The beginning of the holy month was announced yesterday
evening following the visual sighting of the crescent moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar which
is supposed to last 29 or 30 days but this depends on the visual
sightings of the crescent moon. Ramadan involves fasting, in
which Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and any wrong doing
from dawn until sunset. At sunset families gather for the fast-
breaking meal known as Iftar In addition to fasting, Muslims are
encouraged to read and recite the entire Quran through special
prayers Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night.
Muslims during this month also give out to the poor, pray for
the sick and visit the needy. After the 30 days of fasting the
Muslims celebrate fasting in festivities dubbed as Eid ul-Fitr.
On a sad note, the Uganda Muslim Community Kibuli sect has lost
sheik Abdul Sekimpi who succumbed to high blood pressure at
Kibuli hospital. T