By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The observance of Ramadan, a 30-day period of prayer and religious devotion for Muslims, begins later today.
In a phone interview with Imam Omar Betita yesterday, he said, during the observance, Islamic faithful refrain from eating or drinking from dawn until dusk for 30 days.
Betita explained, it is an obligation for every Muslim to fast and has also urged their children, if they are able, to join in the fasting, calling it “a way of cleansing their minds, bodies, and soul.”
The period is also intended to bring them closer to Allah and remind them of the less fortunate.
The local religious leader also said, as part of their observance, they will also be praying for their Muslim brethren affected by the conflicts in Mindanao.
The observance of Ramadan ends on June 24, to be followed by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr on June 25./WDJ