Ramzan begins in Hyderabad

Thousands of Muslims gathered at mosques in Hyderabad to offer the ‘taravee’ prayers after the new crescent of Ramzan was sighted on Monday.

The Ruiyat–e–Hilaal Committee, headed by Maulana Qubool Pasha Shuttari, declared the beginning of the month from Monday evening after the moon was sighted in various districts of Telangana and the country. Sirens in mosques informed the public about the beginning of the month after the official announcement was made.

Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. “They have to spend more time in prayers and stay away from sins, including speaking rudely to anyone.

Mosques across the Hyderabad made arrangements for the ‘taravee’ namaz – where chapters of the holy Quran are read aloud – on all days of the month after the dusk prayers. Hafiz – who memorised the Quran —



leads the ‘taravee’ prayers in the mosques.

At Mecca Masjid, a few thousand persons offered the ‘taravee’ prayers on Monday night. A few hundred women also attended the prayers in a separate space earmarked for them. Maulana Hafeez Rizwan Qureshi, Khateeb, Mecca Masjid, led the prayers. At various other mosques too, there was huge attendance. A few religious organisations had hired function halls and schools to organise the prayers for women in the city.

The first “roza” on Tuesday will be of 14 hours and 23 minutes and slowly, the time period will increase by a few minutes. The fast on the last day of the month of Ramzan will be of 14 hours and 44 minutes. It will be a test of physical and mental endurance for the pious as the scorching summer is already showing its cruelty with the temperature in the city hovering around 43 degrees Celsius.