Ramadan begins today in India

August 12, 2010 Ramadan, the holy month of Islam, is scheduled to begin today in India. The new moon, which marks the beginning of Ramadan, was observed across the nation.

Maulana Mufti Mukkaram Ahmed, Shahi of Delhi's, announced that Ramadan would begin from today. The new moon was observed in states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

The new moon could not be observed in Delhi and Mumbai as the sky was covered by clouds but it was seen nearby.

Ramadan is observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset, and is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It lasts till Eid ul-Fitr or the next new moon.

Some other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, started Ramadan yesterday.