Holy month of Ramzan begins

'Ramzan' a holy month of fasting for Muslims begins on last Monday. 'Ramzan' the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, begins on 30th June. It is observed as a fasting period by Muslims, who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. If the new moon would have been sighted on Saturday, Ramzan would have started on Sunday. But as that did not happen, Saturday was the last day of Shaban month - eighth month of the Islamic calendar - and on Monday, June 30th was the first day of Ramzan. Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims, who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. Muslims wake up early morning for the pre-dawn 'Sehri' meal renouncing food and water during the day before breaking their fasts in the evening. The sumptuous evening meals are known as 'Iftaars'. The month-long fasting will culminate in the 'Id-ul-Fitr' celebrations next month. As Islam follows a lunar calendar, the holy month begins every year about 11 days earlier and its commencement is traditionally determined by the appearance of the new moon.