Samia: Pray for peace

TANGA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called upon Tanzanians to pray for national peace as Muslims commence the holy month of Ramadan.

“In this act of worship, as we have always done, let us continue to cherish and pray for peace in our country.

Let us keep asking Almighty God to grant each of us the ability to fulfil our duties with integrity, justice and truth,” President Samia posted on her X account over the weekend.

The Head of State also extended her best wishes to all Muslims, praying for a blessed and fulfilling fast.

“May Allah, the Most Merciful, guide us and support us in this important act of worship, granting it His approval and acceptance,” she said.

Muslims across the country began the Holy Month of Ramadan yesterday following announcements by Mufti and Chief Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir last Friday.

On Friday last week, the Chief Sheikh announced that Ramadan would begin on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Speaking in Tanga, Mufti Zubeir stated: “Dear Muslims, today, February 28, 2025, we gathered at our Crescent Sighting Committee locations to observe the new moon for the month of Ramadan.

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However, no reports of the Ramadan crescent have been received from either Mainland Tanzania or the Islands and even our counterparts in Kenya have not sighted the moon anywhere.”

“Therefore, since the moon was not sighted, I direct and announce to all Muslims that we shall complete 30 days of Sha’ban and, InshaAllah, the month of Ramadan will begin on March 2, 2025.”

For the next 29 or 30 days, depending on the Islamic calendar, Muslims observing the fast will abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, a period lasting about 12 hours each day.

Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

It is a period for reflection, self-restraint and warmth intended to bring Muslims closer to Allah, hence the abstention from earthly distractions like food and water, cigarettes and sexual activity during daylight hours.

A modest meal is taken before dawn known as “suhoor” and after dusk known as “iftar” but nothing whatsoever is consumed in between, not even water.

Fasting during Ramadan is a requirement for most Muslims from a young age, sometimes beginning as early as 10.

Exemptions are granted for those who are ill, elderly, mentally ill, travelling, or for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating.

Eid al-Fitr is the “festival of the breaking of the fast” and marks the end of Ramadan every year.