Muslims in Sudan and South Sudan will begin the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday.
Sudan’s Islamic Fiqh Council declared that Thursday will be the beginning of Ramadan in the country.
In South Sudan, the Islam Council said in a statement on state-owned media in Juba that it was impossible to sight the Ramadan moon. That means the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting will begin Thursday.
The common practice during Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the iftar. Muslims also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadan.
Fasting is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and remind them of those less fortunate. It is also a chance to kick addictions like caffeine and cigarettes.