With the advent of Ramadan, elaborate arrangements are being made in Riyadh to observe the holy month with the Saudi capital gearing up for a number of activities with the participation of religious and voluntary organizations.

The markets and shopping malls on Saturday, being the weekend, witnessed a huge turn out of Saudis and expats eager to do their shopping for the festive month which is also known for its spirit of feasting.

Meanwhile, Lajna Ilmiya, a Riyadh-based organization formed by graduates from Darul Uloom Deoband, the renowned Islamic seminary in India, hosted a workshop entitled “Istiqbal-e-Ramazan” (welcome Ramadan) with religious scholars enlightening the audience about the observance of the holy month and Muslims' religious duties.

As the holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during this month, a number of articles on religious duties for the Ummah at large were read to guide Muslims which included "Ramadan and Qur’an” by Maulana Inamul Haque Qasmi, “Ramadan and fasting” by Maulana Tahir Ahmad Qasmi, “Ramadan ka Akhri Ashra (last phase)” by Maulana Abdur Rahman Umari, “Ramadan ke Shab-o-Roz” (days & nights during Ramadan) by Maulana Ghufran Sajid Qasmi,“Zakat wa Sadqa-e-Fitr ke Masail (alms giving)” by Maulana Javed Akhtar Qasmi and “Ramadan ke Ba’ad (daily life after Ramadan)” by Mufti Ashique Elahi Qasmi.

The religious scholars urged the gathering at the workshop to follow the message of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah and help spread the purity of Islam. They asserted that the Qur'an speaks in a powerful, moving language about the reality and attributes of the Almighty Allah, the spiritual world, His purpose for mankind, man's relationship and responsibility toward Him, the coming of the Day of Judgment and the life in the hereafter. Therefore, it is our duty as good Muslims to spread the message of Islam, they said.