RAMADAN

RAMADAN

RAMADAN is the ninth month of the islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar-that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.

           Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice          and devotion to Allah.

Fasting is supposed to teach Muslims about patience and ibadah (faith). It is a time for Muslims to think about how the poor and homeless suffer without lots of food, it helps Muslims to be more obedient, and less greedy. During Ramadan, Muslims ask to be forgiven for their sins, and they pray for help in stopping them from doing bad things. Muslims believe Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih.In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provides a quick energy boost.

Ramadan ends with the festival of" Eid ul-Fitr ", is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.