Bajgora said scholars will tour Kosovo to deliver sermons and lead Tarawih Prayer.

PRISHTINA — Scholars in Kosovo are gearing up for a very busy schedule during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, while local radio stations are preparing special programs.

"Professors of the Faculty of Islamic Studies will be touring Kosovo especially in Fridays for khutbah (sermons) and leading Tarawih Prayer in some farthest villages," Sabri Bajgora, head of imams of the Islamic Council of Kosovo (ICK), told IslamOnline.net.

He added that the ICK will also be organizing religious activities in several cities across Kosovo, including iftar with poor people in traditional restaurants.

Bajgora said that like in every year the imams of Kosovo came together to discuss a range of issues related to Ramadan.

The main mosques in Kosovo will open their doors in the last days of Ramadan for i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) and Qiyam Al-Layl (Night Vigil Prayer)

Most of the local radios are also preparing a variety of rich programs about Islam in general and Ramadan in particular.

Preparations for the holy month are also coloring the streets with shops showcasing a variety of candies, fresh dates and other traditional food.

The European Council for Fatwa and Research has said that the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan will fall on Sunday, September 24, based on astronomical calculations.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex.

Food Packages

The main mosques will open their doors in the last days of Ramadan for i`tikaf and Qiyam Al-Layl.

Barakah association, a department for humanitarian activities established by the ICK in recent years, will be distributing food packages among the poor during the holy month.

"We will distribute about 5000 thousand food packages for Ramadan and will do the same in `Eid," Fitim Flugaj, Barakah manager, told IOL.

"Last year in Ramadan Barakah distributed 20 tons of meet among poor families, hospitals, institutions for the handicapped and students canteen in the University of Prishtina."

The association is also having plans for orphans.

"On the first day of `Eid we will distribute about 4000 gift packages for orphans’ families around Kosovo," Flugaj said.

As in recent years, the main national televisions, including RTK and RTV21, will be broadcasting the `Eid prayer live.

Kosovo has been a UN protectorate since a 1999 NATO-led bombing campaign haled civilian killings and ethnic cleansing in the province by troops loyal to late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Ethnic Albanians make up about 90 percent of Kosovo's population of around two million people.