Ramadan, the Muslim holiday where those who participate refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything in excess from dawn until dusk for an entire month, is hence, considered the the month of fasting. This year Ramadan began on Saturday, August 22, but because it always begins in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (which is based on the cycles of the moon) the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year. Ramadan is said to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Fasting is meant to teach patience, discipline, empathy, and increase spirituality by inspiring a closer connection to Allah (God). It is also a time to offer more prayer than normal. Muslims pray for forgiveness for past sins, as well as guidance and assistance in refraining from everyday evils. They also strive for purification through self-restraint and benevolent acts. In general, Ramadan is a time for worship and reflection.
Fasting is the most distinguishing aspect of this tradition. Everyday during the month of Ramadan, Muslims get up before the sun rises to eat Sahur (a meal prepared and eaten before dawn) before they perform the Fajr prayer. They fast from this point until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after sunset until the Fajr prayer the following morning. Then the process repeats itself. Those who are chronically or mentally ill, pregnant women, women undergoing ministration or who are nursing, children and the elderly are exempt from fasting.
The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr is the first day of the following month after another new moon has been sighted, signifying the end of the fasting period. Eid ul-Fitr translates into "the Festival of Breaking the Fast," and a celebration commemorates its arrival. Food is donated to the poor, everyone dresses in nice or new clothing and communal prayers are held in the morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two raka' ah (a unit of prayer length), and is optional.
Since Ramadan has begun here in Palestine, streets and shops are generally more quiet during the early part of the day. When mid afternoon hits, people congregate into the marketplace and along the streets filled with vendors selling all sorts of food. Dates, baklava, pancakes with fig jelly, and other foods and pastries traditionally eaten at Ramadan decorate the alleyways. I've had to show self restraint when buying falafel or something similar that I'd love to eat in public while its hot. Instead of making others drool I usually just get food on my way home so I don't flaunt the fact that I'm eating in front of those who can't.
Not everyone is religious or Muslim, and not all who are participate in fasting, but the community respects the tradition as a whole. The grand majority of restaurants are closed during this time and while many shops continue to sell foods and goods, they don't serve food during the Ramadan. Basically, no one eats in public. Its been interesting watching the dynamics of the area shift with the coming of this holiday and I'm curious to see how or if things continue to change as the month wears on.
Fasting is meant to teach patience, discipline, empathy, and increase spirituality by inspiring a closer connection to Allah (God). It is also a time to offer more prayer than normal. Muslims pray for forgiveness for past sins, as well as guidance and assistance in refraining from everyday evils. They also strive for purification through self-restraint and benevolent acts. In general, Ramadan is a time for worship and reflection.
Fasting is the most distinguishing aspect of this tradition. Everyday during the month of Ramadan, Muslims get up before the sun rises to eat Sahur (a meal prepared and eaten before dawn) before they perform the Fajr prayer. They fast from this point until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after sunset until the Fajr prayer the following morning. Then the process repeats itself. Those who are chronically or mentally ill, pregnant women, women undergoing ministration or who are nursing, children and the elderly are exempt from fasting.
The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr is the first day of the following month after another new moon has been sighted, signifying the end of the fasting period. Eid ul-Fitr translates into "the Festival of Breaking the Fast," and a celebration commemorates its arrival. Food is donated to the poor, everyone dresses in nice or new clothing and communal prayers are held in the morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two raka' ah (a unit of prayer length), and is optional.
Since Ramadan has begun here in Palestine, streets and shops are generally more quiet during the early part of the day. When mid afternoon hits, people congregate into the marketplace and along the streets filled with vendors selling all sorts of food. Dates, baklava, pancakes with fig jelly, and other foods and pastries traditionally eaten at Ramadan decorate the alleyways. I've had to show self restraint when buying falafel or something similar that I'd love to eat in public while its hot. Instead of making others drool I usually just get food on my way home so I don't flaunt the fact that I'm eating in front of those who can't.
Not everyone is religious or Muslim, and not all who are participate in fasting, but the community respects the tradition as a whole. The grand majority of restaurants are closed during this time and while many shops continue to sell foods and goods, they don't serve food during the Ramadan. Basically, no one eats in public. Its been interesting watching the dynamics of the area shift with the coming of this holiday and I'm curious to see how or if things continue to change as the month wears on.
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