Millions of Muslims in Cameroon have begun the month-long Ramadan fasting today, March 1, after the National Commission of the Crescent Moon sighted the moon on Friday evening.
1.9 billion Muslims, or one-quarter of the world’s population, engage in the ritual that represents the fourth pillar of Islam, observed each March.
The start and end date of Ramadan varies across countries, as it depends on the sighting of the moon crescent.
Most countries in the world kick started the fasting on March 1, among them Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, which were among the first to sight the moon on February 28.
The fasting will end either on March 30 or 31, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Muslims consider Ramadan the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, believing it marks the time when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago.
During the fasting, Muslims begin their day with a predawn meal called suhoor and break the fast at sunset with iftar. They focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion during the holy month.
The fasting lasts between 11-16 hours daily for a period of 29-30 days. Participants must forgo food and drink, and if married, abstain from sex during daylight hours.
However, some categories of people cannot fast and are exempt from fasting. They include pregnant or nursing women, the sick, older people, and children.
The fasting continues until the sighting of the next new moon, which marks the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.
