The Muslim month of fasting:
RAMADAN
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered special for Muslims all over the world, as it is a month of fasting. From sunrise to sunset, every day for 29 or 30 days, depending on the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking. Children, the elderly, the ill, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are exempt from fasting.
During Ramadan, families come together at various times of the day, including meals and prayer. Before the start of a day of fasting, it is customary to eat Suhoor, a pre-dawn meal, together. At sun-down, the fast is broken with friends and family at a meal called Iftaar. Often a variety of delicious foods are prepared for Iftaar, with the menu differing from country to country. For example, popular Iftaar dishes in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan include pakora, which are fried
fritters, and samosa, a triangle-shaped fried pastry filled with meat and vegetables.
After Iftaar, a congregational prayer called Taraweeh is performed at the mosque, the place of worship for Muslims. Hundreds of Muslim community members pack into the mosques, eager to pray and ask for God's forgiveness. Every day of the month follows the same schedule. Ramadan ends with the coming of a new month, Shawwal, the first day of which Eid al Fitr takes place. Eid al Fitr is a celebratory day marking the end of Ramadan.
Congregational prayers take place, sweets are distributed, and the entire Muslim community can be seen wearing festive clothing.
The purpose of Ramadan is mainly spiritual. According to religious texts and narrations, Muslims were ordered to fast by God in order to practice self-discipline by controlling
natural human desires such as eating, and to be thankful for blessings that many do not have. During Ramadan, Muslims are also encouraged to participate in good works such as giving charity, praying, and reading the Quran, the Muslim holy book. Additionally, it is recommended to abstain from the use of foul language, quarreling, and backbiting.
The month of Ramadan is very important and considered holy to Muslims everywhere. Family, community, and good deeds are all emphasized during this special month. Often a festive atmosphere can be witnessed in Muslim homes, and special foods are prepared for the two main meals of the day, Suhoor and Iftar. One can often experience the traditions of Ramadan by visiting local mosques, which frequently hold open houses and programs for members of the larger community.