Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The annual Ramadan fasting season officially commences Thursday (June 18) with Muslims in the Philippines joining their more than 1.5 billion brethren around the world in the observance of Islam’s holiest month.
This year’s Ramadan begins before dawn of June 18. Muslims are required by faith to abstain from food, drinks, cigarettes, and marital relations from dawn to dusk during the dasting season.
Ramadan dates vary in different countries – but usually only by a day – due to the cycle of the moon.
One of the five pillars of Islamic faith, fasting must be performed by physically-fit Muslims except pregnant and lactating mothers, children below 12 years old, and elderly who cannot abstain from food at day time.
Aside from fasting, the other pillars of Islam are absolute submission to Allah, praying five times a day facing the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, giving of “zakat” (alms) to the poor, and performing the Hajj (pilgrimage) at least once in a lifetime.
This is only required for Muslims who can afford the cost of travel to Mecca.
During the fasting month, which lasts for one lunar cycle or about 28-29 days, Muslims are obliged to do things to correct the wrong they have done, rebuild community, promote peace and love among other faithful and seal broken family relationships, and family ties severed by misunderstandings.
Ramadan, as among the holiest of seasons, symbolizes the period when Allah revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.
