ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: The month of Ramazan will commence Tuesday, said central Ruet-i-Hilal Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman in a press conference on Monday evening.

The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meeting was held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) building in Karachi.

Talking to media, Mufti Muneebur Rehman said that moon was sighted in most of the areas of the country and the faithful shall start observing fasts from Tuesday.

He thanked Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai of Peshawar’s Masjid Qasim Ali Khan for his 'co-operation' in starting Ramazan on the same day, adding that he will appreciate all efforts for unity in the country.

Related: Govt reaches out to Popalzai for sake of ‘one Eid’

This year's Ramazan marks the some of the longest days of fasting in recent years, with over 15-hour-long fasts.

Ramazan begin Monday in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Singapore, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.

Muslims throughout the world prepare to celebrate the holy fasting month of Ramazan, when they refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to dusk.

Religious activities usually increase during this month and households stock up on essentials for staples and avoid the heat and crowds during fasting hours.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramazan with a three-day holiday.

Prayer timings for the first day of Ramazan in major cities

No load shedding

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the ministry of water and power to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during Sehar and Iftar timings during Ramazan.

In a statement released from his office, he instructed his office staff to strictly monitor load-shedding schedule.

Why do Muslims fast?

The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Ramadan is a time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on one's inner self.

It's seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify, refraining from habits such as smoking and caffeine. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry. Many spend more time at mosques during Ramadan and use their downtime to recite the Quran.

London's new Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, wrote in the Guardian that he plans to use Ramadan to “build bridges” and break bread with Muslims and non-Muslims around the city at synagogues, churches and mosques, though he acknowledged that 19-hour-long fasts during the longer summer days in Europe and forgoing coffee will be challenging.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity, and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.

How do Muslims fast?

Observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for the entire month of Ramadan. A single sip of water or a puff of a cigarette is enough to invalidate the fast.

However, Muslim scholars say it's not enough to just avoid food and drinks during the day. Ramadan is also an exercise in self-restraint.

Muslims are encouraged to avoid gossip and arguments.

Just before the fast, Muslims have a pre-dawn meal of power foods to get them through the day, the “sehri.”

How do Muslims break their fast?

After sunset prayers, a large feast known as “iftar” is shared with family and friends. Iftar is a social event as much as it is a gastronomical adventure. Across the Arab world, apricot juices are an iftar staple. In South Asia and Turkey, yogurt-based drinks are popular. Every night of Ramadan, mosques and aid organizations set up tents and tables for the public to have free iftar meals.