New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to people to turn the month of Ramadan into a symbol of patience, goodwill, sensitivity and service. Modi's message came a day after the holy month for Muslims started amid a crisis when the worship in mosques and religious gatherings was closed across India to contain the spread of novel COVID-19 pandemic.

"Holy month of Ramzan has begun. While celebrating Ramzan the previous time, no one would have thought that there would be so many difficulties during Ramzan this time," Modi said while speaking in the 64th edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.

"When the whole world is struggling with the pandemic, it provides us an opportunity to make this Ramzan a symbol of patience, goodwill, sensitivity and service." Modi said this time, let us pray that the world may be freed from the coronavirus by the time of Eid.

Ramadan started on Saturday morning and is expected to culminate on May 24. Over the 30-day period, Muslims fast during the daylight hours, a practice that is seen as one of the five pillars of Islam. The devotees eat before sunrise, and break their fast after dusk each day.

On April 10, the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed all the states and the union territories (UTs) not to allow any social or religious gathering and ensure strict compliance of lockdown to contain spread of COVID-19 in the wake of various festivals like Baisakhi, Ambedkar Jayanti, Ramadan and others. The ministry had directed all states and UTs to ensure strict compliance of lockdown measures to fight COVID-19 and not allow any social and religious gathering or procession.