RAMADHAN KAREEM
Here's what you need to know about the Islamic holy month
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Muslims around the globe will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan, a period of deep spiritual reflection and celebration, in coming days.
Ramadan will see Muslims abstain from food during daylight hours and pray before breaking their fast at sundown alongside family and friends.
Here's a look at when the holy month begins, the importance of fasting, and why the date changes from one year to another.
When does Ramadan end?
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Lasting for 29 or 30 days, Ramadan 2025 will end around March 30, with the celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr estimated to start around 30 March, again with a possible difference of a couple of days.
What is Ramadan?
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Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims.
It remembers the month the Qur'an was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed.
During its 29 to 30 days, Muslims abstain from food and drink, including water, every day from dawn to sunset.
When the sun sets, adherents to the faith break their fast with a communal meal called Iftar, usually with family or friends.
The fast is traditionally broken by eating dates, to emulate how the prophet Mohammed broke his fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims are also encouraged to do good deeds and abstain from sinful acts, while refecting on their faith and developing positive habits to be brought forward when the holy month ends.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
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The practice of fasting during Ramadan serves spiritual and social purposes.
According to Islamic Relief Australia, Muslims believe Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the prophet Mohammed more than 1,400 years ago.
The fast entails abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations to achieve greater "taqwa", or consciousness of God.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
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Eid al-Fitr or the "festival of breaking the fast" marks the end of Ramadan.
It is likely to take place on the evening of Sunday, March 30 depending on the sighting of the moon.
It is celebrated as a time for family and friends to come together with communal prayer, gift-giving and dressing in new clothes.
Eid al-Fitr happens in the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar.
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Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
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34.1% Yes, it serves us well
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65.2% No, I have concerns
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Arrests linked to burglaries
Auckland Central Police have cleared out two apartments full of stolen property, resulting in four arrests.
In the process an excess of 80 stolen items, including 13 electric scooters, have been recovered by Police.
Auckland Central Area Commander Inspector Grant Tetzlaff says an investigation has been underway into a series of burglaries at businesses and apartments in the city over the past month.
On Wednesday morning, the City Tactical Crime Unit along with the Beat Team and Police Support Unit executed two search warrants.
“Operation Rocket homed in on two apartments within a Hobson Street complex,” Inspector Tetzlaff says.
“Inside our teams came across an Aladdin’s cave of stolen property and it’s going to take some time to work through where everything has come from.”
Amongst the find was 13 electric scooters, an assortment of power tools and other electronic valuables.
Some of the power tools have been linked to a North Shore burglary in 2019, Inspector Tetzlaff says.
Four people at the addresses have been arrested and charged.
“Charges laid at this point relate to two burglaries at a Wellesley Street business, and a Union Street apartment last month,” he says.
Those charged are two men, aged 28 and 36, and two women, aged 35 and 41.
A 28-year-old man has been charged with two counts of burglary. He has also been charged with the aggravated robbery of an electric scooter in January.
A 41-year-old woman faces two charges of burglary. The other two arrested face charges of receiving stolen property.
Separately, a 47-year-old woman was located during search warrants in possession of methamphetamine and charged accordingly.
“The team working on Operation Rocket are continuing with their enquiries and further charges cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Inspector Tetzlaff says.
“Burglary is a serious offence and brings with it a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
“It’s a fantastic outcome as our team continue to work hard in holding this offending to account.”
Those charged are now before the Auckland District Court.
Car broken into at New Windsor
Hi Everyone,
Just a heads up neighbours - our courtesy that we borrowed got broken into either late last night or early morning.
I’m angry because this scumbag/Duce bag has made my morning inconvenient with my school drop off and getting to work. Shame on this scum whoever it is. The car wasn’t worth breaking into and no valuable items in the car.
Be alert neighbours.
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