The holy month of Ramzan fasting began on Sunday on a grand note across Andhra Pradesh as the crescent moon which marks the beginning of the Ramzan has been sighted in different parts of the country, the Moon sighting committee announced on Saturday evening.

On Saturday, the ‘Darul Qaza Imarat-e-Shariah’ Khaziye Shariat Mufti Syed Abul Rahim Quasmi announced that a new moon was sighted in various parts of the country and in Andhra Pradesh and Ramzan month started on Sunday. 

The Muslim community that was away from Ramzan prayers in a traditional manner for the past two years due to the pandemic has heaved a sigh of relief due to the decline in infections across the State for the past few weeks restoring normalcy. Muslims started the fasting month by offering special prayers "Namaz-e-Taraweeh" at mosques on Saturday night with the sighting of the new moon.

The Muslim religious Imams said that after "Namaz-e-Isha" or the last Namaz of the day, "Namaze-Taraveeh" is offered at all the mosques with "Huffaz" reciting the holy Quran. The monthlong activity began with the special prayer Taraweeh with the devout attired in their best offering the prayers. 

Imams said the fasting began with the "Sehri" or pre-dawn meals. Those fasting abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. They said that arrangements were made in all Mosques for the month-long Namaz prayers including Taraveehs. They recalled that Ramzaan was like never before in the shadow of Coronavirus in the past two years.

They said that Ramzan is the holiest month meant for community togetherness, charity, and prayer but Covid-19 dampened all these things and they are hoping to return to normal with the complete ending of the pandemic in AP. 

Muslim Joint Action Committee president said that members of the community decided to continue wearing masks and sanitizing hands as a precautionary measure to contain the resurgence of the pandemic. He asked Muslims to offer Namaz prayers in a peaceful manner without causing disturbances reflecting communal harmony.

Meanwhile, the Police department started security initiatives at mosques as a precautionary measure and other government departments are making arrangements for the supply of water, electricity, and betterment of sanitation during Ramzan month.