Ramadan Holiday

Ramadan (arabic) or Ramadan (turkish) is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. This month is the most important and honorable for Muslims. During the whole month a strict fasting (“like”) is observed which implies a refusal of water, food and intimate relationships during daylight hours.

Refusal to eat, from the time when “the black thread begins to differ from the white one” until the full sunset, is not the end in itself of the fast. The meaning of abstinence and fasting in general is the strengthening of faith, spiritual growth, rethinking of one’s lifestyle and priorities. Fasting for Muslims is, first of all, the opportunity to move away from the forbidden, to determine for themselves the true life values. Fasting is prescribed to all mature Muslims and is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is especially noted that those who are unable to observe it are exempt from fasting: the elderly or Muslims who have chronic diseases. But then a Muslim should feed the poor for each day of fasting or assist the needy (in the amount of not less than the amount that he spends per day on food). The month of Ramadan and fasting with the second most significant Muslim holiday, Eid ul-Fitr (Ramadan Bayram), begins with the setting of the sun on the last day of Ramadan and continues on the 1st and 2nd day of the next month of Shawwal. After the completion of the collective prayer in the mosque on the 1st day of the month of Shawwal, Muslims go to a festive meal, during which it is customary to treat not only relatives and friends, but also neighbors and acquaintances (regardless of their religion). Distribution of alms (sadaka) is a prerequisite of celebration. Also on holidays it is customary to visit the graves of relatives.