Muslims urged not to fire guns during the Ramadan

COTABATO CITY — An "ustadz" (Islamic teacher) appealed to his fellow Muslims in the region not to fire their guns during the celebration of the fasting month of Ramadan. Muslim gun owners traditionally fire their guns to welcome the Ramadan, which will begin on August 11 this year and end on September 9. Ustadz Jaafar Ali, spokesperson of the Darul Ifta (Islamic House of Opinion), said the firing of guns during the Ramadhan and the "Eud'l Fitr," the end of fasting month, has resulted in injuries and deaths in the past. "I am appealing to you brothers and sisters, do not fire your guns because that is not part of fasting," Ali said. Instead of firing guns, Ali urged gun owners to donate electrical bulbs, electric fans, food and other items to Mosques to be given to the poor. "Ramadhan means generosity, so share your blessings and not buy bullets to be fired during the activity, that is not part of Islam," he said. In the past five years, about five persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets when the Ramadhan ended. Ali said the firing of guns during the fasting month was not part of the solemn activity and it also destroys the image of Islam. It was nowhere in the Holy Qur’an that firing of guns is part of the celebration," Ali said. Instead, he urged gun owners to help the poor, the needy, the sick, those in dire need of assistance and share the blessings. Ali explained that when the crescent moon is seen on Tuesday night, the fasting month will immediately begin on Wednesday. However, if the moon will not be visible on Tuesday night, the fasting month will officially start on Thursday. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. –VVP, GMANews.TV