CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF WISHES HAPPY RAMADAN TO ALL MUSLIM MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil extended greetings and best wishes to all the Muslim members of Tri-Services, Police and their families at the occasion they celebrate the Ramadan festival.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar - the timing is based on sightings of the crescent moon which means that the dates vary from year to year. In 2023, the month of Ramadan began on Wednesday 22nd of March. Muslims were eagerly anticipating the arrival of Eid ul Fitr when the Grand Mosque Colombo announced the Ramadan festival falls on 22nd April 2023 since the moon was sighted yesterday evening.

Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the holy period of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth Islamic month. On Eid ul Fitr, Muslims thank Allah for the holy Quran. Eid is also significant because it marks the completion of a month-long fast from dawn to dusk.

CDS recalled the valued contributions made by the Muslim members of the armed forces and wished them “Eid Mubarak”.