The Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan for the year 2014 starts today, Saturday, June 28, 2014 as announced by the Figh Council of North America, the Ramadan month will run through Monday, July 28, 2014. In the Philippines, Filipino Muslims already started their celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
During the month of Ramadan all Muslims from various parts of the world and in most part of Southern Philippines will fast and practice abstinence from dawn until sunset for a total of 30 days.
The annual event which is also considered as one of the “Five Pillars of Islam,” marks the anniversary of the Quran, the Muslim’s Holy Book being revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The month of Ramadan starts with the sighting of the new moon, it is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar. Ramadan starts at sunset, or “rukya,” when the moon is spotted, and goes on until the next new moon appears.
According to statistics released by Pew Research Center, there are more than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan, which also includes around 2.6 million in the United States.
Ramadan will start with the celebration called Hilal, which is consist of feasting and prayer. The Holy month ends with the three-day Eid al-Fitr Festival, which is sometimes abbreviated as Eid. The Philippines will also announced the Eid Holidays which is considered as national non-working holiday.
The Philippine President also issued his official statement through the website of the national government, the Official Gazette, as he wishes our fellow Filipino Muslim brothers starts the celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan.