Muslims in The Gambia started fasting in the early hours of Tuesday following reports of the sighting of the moon in various parts of the country, the Daily Observer can reveal.

Imam Momodou Lamin Touray, the president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, confirmed this development Monday evening after much anticipation on Sunday evening.

But fears of sharp hikes in food prices have worried many families with the price of a bag of rice now close to D900 (already the retail price for a bag of rice in some parts of the provinces).

The start of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Muslim calendar, is traditionally determined by the sighting of a new moon.

During the month, Muslims are required to abstain from food, smoking, drinking and sex from dawn to dusk. The peak of activities is between iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset), and suhur (the last meal of the day before sunrise).
Daily life activities slow down during the 30-day period with many businesses closing early.