Ramadan starts Sunday

AMMAN — The holy month of Ramadan begins Sunday in Jordan and several other Arab and Islamic countries, Chief Islamic Justice Ahmad Hilayel announced on Friday.

Hilayel said the crescent moon (hilal) of the new lunar month was not spotted in Jordan on Friday, which makes Sunday the first day of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe a dawn-to-dusk fasting.

In Islam, to determine the start of lunar months, including Ramadan, people look for the crescent and those who sight the new moon report to the Sharia court to testify.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, starts the day after the sighting of crescent moon and ends with spotting Shawwal’s new moon.

On the occasion of the holy month, His Majesty King Abdullah exchanged well wishes with leaders of Arab and Muslim countries in phone calls and cables, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The King and HRH Crown Prince Hussein also received cables of well wishes from senior officials and officers. 

Concerned public agencies have announced plans to ensure that daily life goes on smoothly during the fasting month, according to Petra.

The Public Security Department has announced that it would use helicopters to manage traffic jams, which are a familiar scene, especially during the hours before iftar time.

The Civil Defence Department has issued a statement calling on people to act “in the spirit of Ramadan” and to control their temper while driving or interacting with other citizens.

They also reminded people of precautionary measures to protect their families, especially when using the kitchen and to attend to children and the elderly, who might experience health complications when fasting for long hours.

Muslims in Jordan will start Ramadan with a heatwave and a 16-hour fast, from dawn to dusk. 

Officials have assured citizens that foodstuff will be available, vowing to monitor the market to make sure that retailers do not take advantage of the high demand to manipulate prices.

The Food and Drug Administration, for its part, announced Saturday that it would carry out inspection of food outlets and restaurants from 9am to midnight during the holy month. Inspectors will also be checking on elderly homes and orphanages to ensure that these vulnerable segments are offered good quality food. The agency has dedicated a free-toll hotline (080022660) to respond to complaints.