As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences, marked by fasting from dawn to dusk, much of Asia welcomed its arrival on Tuesday, a day after many Middle Eastern nations embarked on their fasts.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, months commence only upon the sighting of the new moon, resulting in slight variations of a day or two in the start date.

While nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates declared the beginning of Ramadan early Monday, countries across the Asia-Pacific, including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore, commenced the fast on Tuesday due to the failure to sight the crescent moon the previous night. Similarly, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, and Jordan also initiated Ramadan on Tuesday.

Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse from sunrise until sunset, with even a tiny sip of water or a puff of smoke deemed enough to nullify the fast. Evenings witness gatherings of family and friends for festive feasts.

The fasting aims to draw the faithful closer to God while reminding them of the plight of the less fortunate. Observers are expected to strictly adhere to daily prayers, engage in heightened religious contemplation, and avoid gossip, conflict, or cursing during this sacred month.

In Indonesia, where 90% of the 277 million-strong population practices Islam, celebrations range from colorful torchlight parades to cleaning family graves and preparing elaborate pre-dawn breakfasts and post-sunset meals known as “iftars.” Each region in the archipelago has its unique way of marking the onset of Ramadan.

The government set Tuesday as the start of the holiday after teams from over 100 regions failed to sight the new moon on Sunday. Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced the timing late Sunday evening.

Mosques overflowed with devotees offering the evening prayers known as “tarawih” on Monday night. At Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of worshippers congregated shoulder-to-shoulder.

Businesses also anticipate a bustling period. Hotels, restaurants, and cafes prepare special Ramadan promotions, while shoppers flock to shopping centers for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

In Malaysia, Ramadan Spurs Call to Curb Food Waste

In Malaysia, mosques commenced preparations for “bubur lambuk,” a traditional porridge dish distributed for free during Ramadan. However, critics urged moderation in iftar feasts.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang reported a 20% increase in food waste during Ramadan, with approximately 90,000 tonnes discarded across the country last year.

Mohideen Abdul Kader, president of the association, emphasized the need to avoid wasteful spending during Ramadan, especially considering the dire situation of over 2 million starving Palestinians.

Rozman Abdul Rahman, a security guard, pledged to minimize food waste by preparing only enough to break the fast each day. He emphasized the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, despite the challenges it presents.

In the Philippines, the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) announced the official commencement of Ramadan in various regions of Mindanao. Emran Mohamad, BDI executive director, urged the Muslim community to abide by the declaration regarding the start of Ramadan by Bangsamoro Mufti Sheikh Abdulrauf Guialani.

With inputs from agencies.