Ramzan begins, Dawoodi Bohra community observes fast

Nagpur: The holy month of Ramzan began on Wednesday evening, ushering in a sacred period of fasting, prayer, and charity. While most Muslim sects will commence fasting on Thursday, the Dawoodi Bohra community began observing the fast on Wednesday itself.Islamic scholar Majid Parekh said that Ramzan teaches perseverance in hardship and restraint in desire. "Fasting from dawn to dusk reminds us that life itself is limited and precious. If we truly reflect, we will realize that this world is a test, not a feast. Let our fasting cleanse us of pride and self-righteousness and guide us toward serving others with humility," he said.
Hamed Quraishi, secretary of the Centre for Social Research and Empowerment (CSRE), said that through fasting, Muslims learn self-discipline while cultivating gratitude and compassion. "Ramzan is like a month-long training program that instills discipline and self-restraint," he said.Author Mohammad Ziyaullah Khan noted that Ramzan helps individuals rediscover resilience in today's fast-paced world.Khwaja Sajid, a corporate trainer and life coach, said, "Fasting is not merely about abstaining from food and drink; it is about resetting one's comfort zone and gaining control over impulsive behavior."Meanwhile, Ateeque Qureshi, general secretary of the Nagpur City Congress Committee, urged the authorities to ensure special attention to cleanliness, drinking water supply, street lighting, road conditions, drainage maintenance, and law and order—particularly around mosques and busy marketplaces during the holy month."