Ramzan 2025 Commences in Hyderabad with Crescent Sighting
The Muslim holy month of Ramzan will begin on Thursday in Hyderabad, following the official sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday night. Moon-sighting committees in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh confirmed the observation, heralding the start of Ramzan across the Telugu states and other regions of India.
A Rare February Start After 33 Years
This year marks a significant celestial event, as Ramzan falls in February for the first time since 1993. The last occurrence was on February 23, 1993, making this the first winter Ramzan in over three decades, albeit at the tail end of the season. The Islamic calendar, based purely on lunar cycles, shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year relative to the solar calendar, causing Ramzan to rotate through different seasons. This results in the lunar and solar calendars realigning every 33 years, with Ramzan beginning in February only three times in the past century.
Shorter Fasting Hours and Seasonal Impact
With Ramzan spanning late winter and early summer this year, fasting hours are relatively shorter compared to recent years. In Hyderabad, the longest fast will occur on March 19, lasting 13 hours and 21 minutes, while the shortest will be on February 19, at 12 hours and 40 minutes. This duration represents one of the briefest fasting periods in three decades, offering some relief to devotees.
Spiritual and Community Activities Begin
Following the crescent sighting, special night prayers known as Taraweeh have commenced in mosques and makeshift prayer halls across Hyderabad and the Telugu states. During these prayers, the entire Holy Quran is recited throughout the month. The historic Charminar area was bustling with last-minute shopping for Sahar, the pre-dawn meal, as the state government has permitted shops to remain open until 5 AM during Ramzan to accommodate the rush.
Traditional Cuisine and Charitable Efforts
Haleem, a dish synonymous with Ramzan in Hyderabad, is widely available, with new traditional dishes from the Arab world added to local cuisine this year. Additionally, rare date varieties have been stocked in the city. Charitable organizations are providing free Sahar meals to Muslim students, especially girls in hostels, while others offer doorstep delivery for a fee. Free Sahar will also be available to Muslim passengers at select railway stations with advance booking, and some hotels in the old city are offering free meals to the poor.
Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns
Many mosques, typically with low attendance, are now filled with devotees for Taraweeh and special prayers. Mosque committees are leveraging this gathering to raise awareness about the Special Intensive Revision of voters lists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, scheduled for March-April. Counters have been set up with the 2002 SIR list to help voters verify their names and prepare necessary documents if missing, advising corrections to avoid last-minute issues.
Warnings Against Online Fraud
As many devotees engage in charity and Zakat during Ramzan, officials have issued warnings against fake charity websites and organizations. Clicking on suspicious donation links can lead to online fraud, urging the community to exercise caution.
