Thursday 18th June 2015 will be the first day of Ramadhan, the month of fasting for Muslims.

The London Central Mosque, which follows Saudi Arabia, has announced that Ramadhan will start on Thursday, as it is the 30th of Shaban according to them. Other mosques rely on reliable moon sightings in the UK or a neighbouring country, as it is the 29th of Shaban for them.

3 of the mosques in Southall follow Saudi Arabia. The Jamia Masjid on Townsend Road, relies on reliable moon sighting. As it is 29th of Shaban, their decision will be made after sunset today.

But, as there have been reliable moon sighting in other parts of the world, all of Southall will be starting Ramadhan on the same day, Thursday 18th June 2015.

The aim of this spiritual month is not the mere act of abstaining from food and drink from early dawn to sunset.

Neither is to prepare a big feast to over indulge yourself at the end of the fast.

Neither is it merely for prayers, meditation or feeling the hunger pains your fellow humans have to endure.

Neither is it merely abstaining from bad deeds and donating to good causes and charities.

The real aim is to become better human beings, more humble, caring and sharing beings.

But not just for the month of Ramadhan.