ABSTRACT
In 1988, Sunnī and Shī͑a inhabitants of the small Himalayan town Gilgit quarrelled over the start of Ramaḍān, the month of fasting. Ramaḍān is of great importance to Muslims, being one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The start of the fast is timed in relation to the position of the moon, and diverging interpretations of its initiation is the rule rather than the exception throughout the Muslim world. The Gilgit population is well acquainted with the quarrel, and ordinarily it would surprise no one. But this particular year it came to have dramatic repercussions.
