This year�s national Ramadan fasting for Muslim faithful across the country starts on either July 19 or 20, 2012.
This was announced in Accra yesterday.
The fasting will begin on either July 19 or 20, 2012, depending on the day the moon would be sighted.
The date was fixed following a consensus reached by delegates at the 18th annual National Ramadan Conference held at Sunyani in the Brong Aharfo Region from 22 to 24 June, 2012.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Osman Siedu, Deputy Executive Secretary, Office of the National Chief Imam, said if the new moon was sighted on Thursday, July 19, then Muslim faithful would begin fasting on Friday July 20.
However, he said if it was impossible to sight the new moon on Thursday, July 19, then Friday, July 20 would be the last day of the month of Sha�ban � the month preceding the month of Ramadan.
Meaning, Saturday July 21, 2012 automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan.
Mr. Osman said when the moon was sighted, the national Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, or his representative would pronounce the commencement of the fast on national television or any other television station in the country.
He urged all Muslims to manage their differences, avoid violence as a tool of dealing with disputes and promote and protect the national unity.
Mr. Osman said good governance was not achievable without peace and tranquillity, justice and equity before the laws of the nation. �It is therefore our wish that we promote peace and equal justice,� he added.
He appealed to all politicians to conduct themselves in a way that would not breach the peace that the people were enjoying in the nation, adding that �they must be circumspect in their approach in discussing political issues both in the electronic and print media.�
Mr. Osman said, �In as much as the Muslim community condemns with no reservation the exhumation of the body of the late Imam of Hohoe, we also believe that the act, as diabolical as it was, has no place in any culture of tradition of the Ghanaian community�.
He therefore called on the security agencies in the country to heed early warning signals and be proactive in preventing conflicts from erupting into violence.
Mr. Osman also asked all stakeholders, especially those in the educational institutions, to desist from forcing students to worship outside their faith.
Ramadan is the holy month on the Muslim calendar during which faithful of the religion observe a mandatory 30 days of fast and prayers for forgiveness of sins from Allah and show love and compassion towards each other.
Source: Cephas Larbi
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