India, Feb. 19 -- The holy month of Ramazan commenced across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with Muslims observing the first fast after the crescent moon was sighted the previous evening.

Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi, had announced the sighting on Wednesday after receiving verified reports from various districts of the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region.

The declaration followed consultations with scholars representing different schools of Islamic thought in the Union Territory.

"The crescent has been sighted. After consulting with my brothers from various schools of thought, it is declared that the holy month of Ramazan will commence tomorrow," the Grand Mufti had said.

With the announcement, mosques acro...