Ramadan falls this year on April 13!

For muslims, Ramadan is the holy month of fasting, prayer and introspection, when muslims reflect on their past deeds and think of ways to improve themselves, refrain from nefarious thoughts and behavior and devote themselves to prayer and Quran (the holy book of Islam) recitations. It is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Following the Adan (call for prayer) muslims do not drink or eat from the Fajr Adan (at dawn) to Al-Maghreb Adan (at sunset). The pre-dawn meal is called Sohour, and Iftar is when all friends and all the family get together around the table to break their fast.

Ramadan is linked to one of the 5 pillars of Islam (fasting) and is divine obligation to all muslims except children who haven’t reached puberty, people with chronic illness, the elderly whose bodies can’t handle fasting and those who can’t fast due to health or physical reasons (chronic illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruating...), long distance travelers are also exempt from it. It’s interesting to note that for people who fall under the 4rth category have to fast the exact amount of days they ate after Ramadan is done.

Muslims celebrate two celebrations in Ramadan:

- Laylat al Qadr (the night of destiny) it’s considered the holiest night of the year, it is believed it falls on an odd-numbered night in the last 10 days of Ramadan, but its exact date is unknown. It corresponds with the night of the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad (the last prophet) by the angel Gabriel.
On this occasion, many muslims spend the night praying and it is believed that on this sacred night, one’s prayers are answered.

- Eid al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan when family and friends get together to celebrate the end of the holy month.