Ramadan begins amid Afghan war

Muslims begin Ramadan even as the U.S.-led coalition continue to pound Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Muslims around the world begin the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, but with heightened sensitivities and tension brought by the war in Afghanistan.

Clerics in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, spotted the new moon on Thursday night, which traditionally marks the start of the holy month.

Saudi Arabia, together with many countries in the Arab world, officially began Ramadan on Friday.

The precise timing of the holy month depends on the sighting of the new moon and varies slightly across the Islamic world.

Once the moon is spotted, Muslims from dawn to dusk refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex.

In Southeast Asia, Islamic scholars decreed a Saturday start based on their own calculations, since the monsoon season cloud cover obscured the sliver of the crescent moon.

In Indonesia, the Religious Ministry declared Ramadan begins on Saturday, but it gave permission to Muslims to begin fasting if they believe Friday marked the start.

In predominantly Muslim Malaysia, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Ibrahim Engku Ngah, announced late on Thursday that the fasting month would begin on Saturday.

In the Philippines, the only Roman Catholic country in Asia, the Muslim minority began Ramadan on Friday.

Tension in the Southeast

Islamic scholars believe that when the orbit turns and Ramadan approaches, happiness and joy return.

In-Depth Asia-Pacific reaction

But this year's celebration of the Holy Month bring little to cheer about as continued bombing raids against the Taliban reinforce a perception of a crusade against Islam.

The United States-led coalition has waged a war against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban for harboring Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network has been accused of instigating terror attacks against the United States, the most serious the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.

Despite victories in the past week, the United States vowed no letup in its military campaign during Ramadan, arguing this would allow bin Laden and his allies to regroup.

President George W. Bush, keen to rally support of the world's Muslims for his war on terrorism, sent Ramadan greetings to the Islamic world on Thursday.

However, he avoided mention of the bombing campaign in Afghanistan and emphasized humanitarian efforts there.

Radical Islam

Muslims in Indonesia have staged massive protest actions against the attacks in Afghanistan

Earlier, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, all supporters of the U.S.-led campaign against terror, called for a halt in bombing raids in time for the observance of Ramadan.

But religious scholars and political analysts say battles during Ramadan have been common throughout the ages.

They note that the first major victory of Islam at Badr in 624 AD and the conquest of the holy city Mecca were both conducted during the holy month.

Egypt and Syria likewise launched the 1973 war against Israel during Ramadan, while Iran and Iraq did not stop fighting during Ramadan in their war from 1980-88.

Nonetheless, observers fear that the coalition's defiance to respect this Muslim tradition would portray the war as a crusade against Islam.

Muslims, particularly in Indonesia and Pakistan, have mounted violent protest actions against the military campaign in Afghanistan.

Around one-fifth of the world's Muslims live in Southeast Asia where Muslims are traditionally moderate.

But Southeast Asian governments have already expressed concern about the rise of radical Islam in the region.