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Gearing up for Ramzan

MALAPPURAM: The Muslim community is preparing to welcome Ramzan, the holy Islamic month during which they fast and engage in spiritual cleansing.

Houses and mosques are being cleaned and painted throughout Malabar ahead of Ramzan, whose beginning will depend on the sighting of the new moon on Wednesday evening.

Preparations for Ramzan are more enthusiastic in rural areas than towns.

Irrespective of whether they are rich or poor, people clean their houses and give a fresh coat of paint to the walls and windows.

Functions like marriages and housewarmings are avoided during Ramzan.

Mosques everywhere are being cleaned and whitewashed. Fresh volumes of Quran are being bought for mosques and homes. Islamic scholars say Ramzan is the month of Ihthiqaf (staying at mosque).

He said Ramzan would begin on Thursday if the new moon is sighted on Wednesday evening. If none sees the crescent on Wednesday evening, then the beginning of Ramzan is confirmed on Friday, he said.

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