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Winter 2015

Celebration

silhouette of man praying near mosque window - moon in background

Ramadan is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar. It is a month in which all adult Muslims have to fast; young children, sick peoples and pregnant women do not have to fast. To know more about this month, we need to know what is the meaning of fasting. It means no eating or drinking from dawn (daybreak) to sunset. The main purpose of fasting is to feel what the poor people feel, so we will be more convinced to help them. It is also a healthy way to control calories for our bodies as it improves health and helps our body to be more active.

In fact, this month is such a great celebration for Muslim people, that they start this month by decorating all streets and homes, and all children are interested in holding the most popular symbol of this month, which is called FANOS. It is a kind of a colorful lantern in different shapes and sizes. There are many important customs in this month, such as reading Quran and praying a night prayer called Tarawih. At the end of the day, at the sunset, all family stays together to have their meal and eat traditional food - sweets made at home such as Konafa and Kataief, and pray together. All in all, this month brings people together as they spend much more time with their families.  

When Ramadan ends, comes Eid el Fetr. It is a three day celebration, which means the end of fasting. People like to buy and wear new clothes, visit families and beloved ones, and make together traditional sweets for this Eid, called Kahk. It is important to go to the mosque to thank God and help poor people. This month gives Muslims a positive energy and raise their spirituality, which makes them better people.