Muslims to celebrate the arrival of new moon

Islam’s holiest moth comes to an end this weekend

Thousands of people across Tayside and Fife are preparing to celebrate the end of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar tomorrow, having spent weeks abstaining from food and water.

Muslims in Courier Country are among the 1.6 billion across the world taking part in Ramadan, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and involves a daily fast.

However this weekend, should the new moon arrive today, they will welcome the end of the holy month with a celebration described by one local Muslim leader as Islam’s Christmas.

Chairman of the Dundee Islamic Society, Bashir Chohan, said Ramadan – which began on May 27 – is one of the most “spiritual” experiences a person could undertake.

He added that 2017 had seen “one of the longest” fasts in the UK in recent times due to the long interval between sunrise and sunset.

Mr Chohan said the “blessed month” is something which is looked forward to by Muslims, and that it reminds those who take part of the plight of those less fortunate.

“It is one of the pillars of Islam. Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. This year has been the longest Ramadan, from 1.30am until 10pm. That includes June 21, the longest day,” he said.

“We have got about 1,000 people who come around to Central Mosque and we have been feeding approximately 400 people a night when breaking their fast.

“It is a really special month. If we keep fast any other time of the year it is really difficult. Somehow, naturally, in the month of Ramadan it becomes really easy for everybody.

The end of Ramadan is marked by the religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which involves feasting and gift-giving.

Pictures: Kris Miller.

Left: A man praying at Dundee’s Central Mosque. Top: Two men discuss the teachings of Islam. Right: Shoes are removed before entering the mosque.