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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
COTABATO CITY (SDN) — Sighting of the new crescent moon, hilal in Arabic, on Friday evening, February 28, yielded negative results.
Thus, for the Philippines the first day of Ramadan, Islam’s holy month of fasting, officially arrives on Sunday, March 2, this year, according to declarations separately made shortly before 9 p.m. by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) headed by Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) led by Chief Minister Ahod B. “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim.
The two Muslim-focused government agencies jointly conducted -moonsighting of the hilal on Friday, deploying moon-sighters armed with the naked eye, and complemented by modern technology, like telescopes.
Traditionally, as Islamic religious leaders have explained, if on the day of moonsighting the crescent moon is seen, the first day of Ramadan starts the next day; if not seen, then fasting starts two days after. in this case tomorrow, Sunday.
After the moonsighting, Abdurahim, CEO of the NCMF, issued a statement announcing that “based on the result of the moon sighting activities conducted by the NCMF, in coordination with the (BARMM) Darul Iftah and different Ulama groups, as well as the Philippine Atmospheric, Goephysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), there had been NO SIGHTING of the New Moon (Hilal).
“As such, it is hereby officially declared that the Ramadhan 1446 Hijrah will commence on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Over here at the BARMM, Bangsamoro Grand Mufti Abduraof Guialani made the same announcement concerning the start of fasting.
Islam has five obligatory pillars, such as the Shahaddah (Profession of Faith — There’s no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger); Salah (Five Daily Prayers); Sawm (Ramadan Fasting); Zakat (Charity)); and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia).
During the 30-day fasting, adult Muslims are obliged to abstain from food, drinks, smoking, and sex during daytime from sunrise (dawn) to sunset (dusk), which this year lasts around 13 to 14 hours. Not a sip of any liquid, nor a puff of smoke is allowed. Sex is allowed in the nighttime between married couples.
Exempted from doing the Ramadan fast are includes:
- Young children
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People on prescription medicines
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People on grueling journeys
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The infirm
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The elderly
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Pregnant women
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Women on their period
However, adults who are exempted are expected to replace the days they missed when they are able.
According to the islamqa.info there are valid reasons for breaking one’s fast, such as:
- Sickness
- Traveling
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Senility and old age
- Intense hunger and thirst
- Compulsion
Some ulama also explained that if you have honestly forgotten you are on Ramadan fast and you ate or drunk water, you are excuse. But “honesty” is the key word.
Fasting is known to have health benefits, which healthline.com explained here, including:
- 1. Promotes blood sugar control by reducing insulin resistance.
- 2. Promotes better health by fighting inflammation.
- 3. May enhance heart health by improving blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels
- 4. May boost brain function and prevent neurodegenerative disorders
- 5. Aids weight loss by limiting calorie intake and boosting metabolism.
- 6. Increases growth hormone secretion, which is vital for growth, metabolism, weight loss, and muscle strength.
- 7. Could extend longevity.
- 8. May aid in cancer prevention and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Ramadan is a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and seeking the bounties as well as the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. During this period, worship is intensified.
The start — and even the conclusion — of Ramadan is a contentious aspect among Muslims worldwide, none more so among Muslims in the Philippines.
But note that even the ulama in Western Mindanao have made the same declaration, March 2, as the first day of Ramadan.
Even while Arabs living in the country — including diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Palestine, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, etc., follow the start of Ramadan as declared by Filipino ulama and government authorities, there are stubborn Moro individuals who choose to ignore this lead, instead blindly follow other countries.
Observers say that this is one of the symptoms that afflict some Moro individuals like sickness, a sign of disunity and, perhaps, jealousy, like crabs pulling down a brother or a sister. (/)