Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Feb 18: As the crescent moon for the holy month of Ramadan was not sighted on Tuesday, fasting in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi will officially begin on Thursday, February 19.

Following the instructions of Al-Haj Twaka Ahmed Musliyar, the khazi of Dakshina Kannada district, S M Rasheed Haji, the treasurer of Mangaluru Zeenath Baksh Central Juma Masjid and Idgah Masjid, confirmed that the fast would commence from Thursday.

Ullala Darga president B G Hanif Haji also issued a statement noting that Ullala khazi A P Aboubakkar Musliyar has declared Thursday as the start of the holy month.

In Udupi, M Abdul Hameed Musliyar Mani, the combined khazi of Udupi, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga, announced that since the moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening, Wednesday would complete the month of Sha’ban, and Ramadan fasting would begin the following day.