The Mufti of Rwanda has extended best wishes to Rwandan Muslims as they start Ramadan [Holy Month] of fasting today.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Ramadan is the Holy Month of the year on the Muslim calendar, when they abstain from eating, drinking and worldly pleasures from dawn until sunset.

It is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

It’s also the month during which the Muslims pray more hoping to get closer to Allah.

"Best wishes to all Muslims as they start fasting. I urge them to be humble, their actions during Ramadan should be manifested in giving those in need, to reconcile among themselves, and teaching and practicing Islam by putting it into action, to unite and avoid conflict among themselves,” the Mufti Sheikh Ibrahim Kayitare said.

Fasting is an obligation to all adult Muslims. Female muslems are exempted from fasting when they are experiencing menstruation periods or postnatal bleeding.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar year; the first day of Ramadan is the 29th or the 30th day on the Muslim calendar.

The date of the beginning Ramadan changes every year as its eleven days before when it started the previous year. This date varries from country to another.

It is believed that the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed during Ramadan. That is why the month is sacred to Muslims.

It is followed by the Eid el-Fitr celebrations.

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