Fri Mar 21 17:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Itikaf Begins in India as Muslims Intensify Ramadan Observances
**[City, State] –** The holy month of Ramadan has entered a phase of heightened spiritual observance in India with the commencement of Itikaf, a period of seclusion dedicated to prayer and worship. Beginning on the 20th day of Ramadan, Itikaf sees men engaging in this practice in mosques and women observing it at home in designated spaces.
Itikaf, a key tenet of Ramadan, involves a 10-day period of dedicated worship and remembrance of Allah. Participants minimize contact with the outside world, focusing primarily on prayer, recitation of the Quran, and supplication. According to Maulana Imran Barkati, women perform Itikaf in a specifically designated area of their homes, known as “Masjid-e-Bait,” and leaving this area without religious justification breaks the Itikaf.
Many devotees arrived at mosques Thursday evening before Taraweeh prayers to begin their Itikaf. Community Iftar dinners were held Thursday and Friday in cities and towns across the region, attracting large crowds. Mosques also saw record attendance for the third Friday prayer of Ramadan, with special prayers offered for blessings, peace, and the well-being of the nation.
First Piper 