Celebrating World Holidays: Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. It is also the month in which Muslims believe Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. In the Western calendar, Ramadan usually lands sometime between September and late October.

Ramadan is a time of blessing, prayer and charity. It is marked by sawm - a month long fast.  During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours. Families have a meal together in the morning, before sunrise. Then they break the day's fast after sunset. The fasting reminds everyone of the suffering of the poor. It also helps in the practice of self-control and cleanses the mind and body.

The festival of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. This three-day festival is a time for celebrating - visiting friends and family, giving charitably and sharing treats with children.

The crescent moon is a powerful image associated with Ramadan. Its sighting marks the end of the month of Shaban and the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is then celebrated following the sighting of the next crescent moon.

By Rochelle Strauss