Moon not sighted, Islamic New Year to begin tomorrow: Grand Mufti

Srinagar, Jul 18: Jammu and Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Tuesday said that the moon for Muharram-ul-Haram, the first month of Islamic calendar, was not sighted anywhere and that Thursday would be the first day of new Islamic Year – 1445 AH.
The Grand Mufti said that no witnesses could be made available on record regarding the sighting of the moon from any part of Kashmir or Jammu divisions.
“The Islamic New Year will now start from Thursday, July 20, and the Ashura will be observed on July 29th,” he said.
In his message Muslims of J&K, Grand Mufti urged Muslims to observe the ensuing Ashura with austerity and asked them to pray for the overall well-being of the Ummah, especially of the youth.
“People should refrain from indulging in immodest activities in the month of Muharram,” he said. “The Ashura has a fundamental message that we should not bow before falsehood and instead remain steadfast on what our religion teaches us.” The Grand Mufti said Muhrram teaches us to remain steadfast on the path of Islam and follow into the footsteps of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), who was martyred along with 70 of his family members in the battle of Karbala some 1400 years ago. (KNO)