Bhatkal: Ramadan, the holy month in the Islamic calendar, will begin in Coastal belt from Kerala and Chennai to Bhatkal and also in Bengaluru on May 17, Thursday.

The Qazi of Bhatkal Maulana Mulla Mohammed Iqbal Nadwi and Maulana Khwaja Akrami Nadwi informed about the sighting of the moon after receiving the confirmation from Chennai.

Ramadan has been also declared in coastal parts of Karnataka including Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapur, Honnavar, and Kumta

The fasting will begin from tomorrow Thursday, while taraveeh, a special night prayer will begin today after 9 PM.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving charity, and religious devotion.