Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended greeting to the nation on the auspicious month of Ramzan.

Ramzan will begin in the evening of Tuesday, 15 May and ends in the evening of Thursday, 14 June (dates may vary).

PM Narendra Modi in his tweet said, “The holy month of Ramzan reminds us about the teachings of Paigambar Mohammed Sahab. Ramzan is about brotherhood, compassion and giving to others”.

The holy month of Ramzan reminds us about the teachings of Paigambar Mohammed Sahab. Ramzan is about brotherhood, compassion and giving to others. #MannKiBaat https://t.co/BHnO8AVFL2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2018

In his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said within a few days from now the holy month of Ramzan will dawn upon us. The month of Ramzan is celebrated with full reverence and respect throughout the world. The sociological and collective aspect of fasting is that when a person experiences hunger himself, he comes to realize the hunger of others. When he is thirsty, he realizes the thirst of others.

This is an opportunity to remember the teachings of Prophet Muhammad-peace be upon him- and his message. It is our responsibility to follow the path of equality and brotherhood as morals from his life. Once a person asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Which is the best thing in Islam?” The Prophet Saab said, “feeding a poor and needy and meeting everyone cordially, whether you know him or not!”, he added.

Prophet Mohammad Sahib (peace be upon him) believed in twin principles of knowledge and compassion. He did not possess an iota of ego regarding himself. He preached that knowledge alone defeats ego. Prophet Mohammad Sahib (peace be upon him) believed that if you possessed anything more than your requirement, then donate it to the needy, thus donation or giving alms is important during Ramzan, PM Modi added.

People donate generously to the needy during this holy month. Prophet Muhammad Sahib believed that a person is rich because of his inherent spirituality, and not materialistic wealth. I wish all the citizens an auspicious month of Ramzan and I hope this opportunity will inspire people to follow the Prophet’s message of peace and goodwill, said PM Modi.

Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.

This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.