Theresa Villiers MP for Chipping Barnet has issued the following message to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
“I would like to send my best wishes to my Muslim constituents at this significant time in the Islamic calendar. I would expect that many in the Muslim community will be saddened that the Coronavirus emergency will prevent people coming together for Iftar meals and community prayers during this holy month. I regret that these important traditions cannot take place this year. But I hope that Muslims in Barnet, and in other places also grappling with this health crisis, will still be able to keep in contact via electronic means with their family and loved ones during this special time. To everyone who is about to undertake the month of fasting, Ramadan Mubarak”.
During the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar Muslims across the world will take part in Sawm which is one of the five pillars of Islam. That means they will abstain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset for the month of Ramadan. This traditionally begins on the first sighting of the new moon and ends 30 days later with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
This year Ramadan is due to begin on the evening of the Thursday 23rd April and end on Saturday 23rd May.
