Thai Muslims observe Ramadan

YALA, July 20 (TNA) - Muslims in Thailand started to observe their holiest month of Ramadan on Friday, after the sighting of a new moon. The Thai Muslims in Yala Province in the Thai deep South, for instance, joined a gathering Thursday evening to witness the astronomical new moon of Ramadan 1433. Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong, Secretary-General of Thailand's Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), led a crowd of over 1,000 Thai Muslims at a ceremonial ground for new moon sighting in Yala's Yaha District, marking the start of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the holiest month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink and other certain activities during daylight hours. Ramadan is the holiest period of prayer, self-examination, charity-giving and increased religious devotion for Muslims worldwide.(TNA)