Ramzan 2018 Moon Sighted in Delhi, Lucknow; Muslims in Uttar Pradesh to Begin Fasting From Tomorrow

New Delhi, May 16: The Ramzan moon has been sighted in Delhi and Lucknow, signalling the beginning of the holy month in the region. Earlier, the sighting of moon was confirmed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and Telangana.

Maulana Khalid Rashid, general secretary of Markazi Chand Committee, issued a statement confirming the sighting of moon in Delhi-NCR region. With the crescent sighting confirmed, the special Taraweeh prayers, held each night of Ramzan, would begin today.

The sighting of moon in Lucknow was confirmed by Imar-e-Shariyah-e-Hind, which issued a statement at around 8:30 pm, saying the fasts of Ramzan would be observed in Uttar pradesh from tomorrow.

West Bengal is unlikely to observe Ramzan fasts from tomorrow as no moon was sighted in the region. The neighbouring Bangladesh, which shares almost the same geographical proximities with Bengal, has declared the observance of Ramzan from Friday as no moon was sighted today.

In Maharashtra, no confirmation could be made by the time this report was published. The state is likely to observe Ramzan from Friday.

In neighbouring Gujarat, messages on social media claimed the moon has been sighted. However, the designated religious authorities were yet to issue a statement of confirmation.

The moon has been spotted in neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan. With the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirming the beginning of Ramzan in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), speculations were rife of the first roza, or fast, being observed in Jammu & Kashmir from tomorrow. However, official confirmation was awaited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 16, 2018 09:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).