An imam in Mumbai has said that the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan is a time for penitence and to seek forgiveness for sins committed in the past from Almighty Allah. Other devotes said that it should be seen as celebratory event for both Muslims and Hindus.
Imam Sunni Raza Masjid told ANI here, "It (Ramazan) is a holy month for us. We pray to Allah. All our sins are forgiven."
Aashiq Sheikh, a devote, said, "We (Hindu's and Muslims) celebrate Ramazan together. We give good wishes to each other."
Chand Mohammed, another devote, said, "We celebrate it for one month. We keep Roza (dawn to dusk fast). We pray five times a day. We all sit together for an Iftar (meal) in the evening."
Ramazan is being observed across most parts of India on Monday, as per the directions of moon sighting committees in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Lucknow.
The sighting of new crescent moon is compulsory for the commencement of any Islamic month in accordance to lunar calendar, while many Islamic countries still prefer observing the new moon through the naked eye. Others allow for astronomical calculations to start observing Ramazan.
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The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar system, and beginning of the new month is decided by sighting of the new moon on the 29th of the ongoing month. If the new moon is sighted on 29th, the next day is counted as first day of the new month; otherwise it is treated as 30th day of the ongoing month.
In almost every part of the world, Muslims make special arrangements for sighting of new moon. Moon sighting committees are also functional in Muslim and non-Muslim countries to verify moon sighting reports and decide the beginning of the new moon.