100 years of Ramadan
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. It's a hot time of the year - especially when you can't drink anything during the day! Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and refrain from consuming food and liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. Muslims are also encouraged to refrain from any type of sinful behavior, such as gossiping, lying, cursing, insulting, and fighting that might negate the reward of fasting.
There are some individuals that are relieved of fasting for reasons such as, travelling, having an illness, pregnancy, being elderly, breastfeeding, having diabetes, or experiencing menstrual bleeding. There's no minimum age to begin the practice of fasting, but it becomes mandatory once a person reaches puberty.
The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and charitable giving. During Ramadan, the frequency of prayer and recitation of the Quran are also increased.
prayer rug
I would liken it to Lenten (Catholicism), but I feel that Muslims are much more devoted to Ramadan and the understanding of its purpose. The Catholics that I know that celebrate Lent choose some pretty pathetic sacrifices to observe it, such as giving up soda, coffee, junk food. For Muslims, nothing says devotion like barely eating, drinking, or indulging for a month, and dutifully praying.
Each day before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called suhur. At sunset, families observe a fast-breaking meal called iftar. Are you thinking about how long the "dog days of summer are?" Traditionally, the fast-breaking commences with eating dates and then a main meal.
iftar in Istanbul, Turkey
Eid al-Fitr
The conclusion of Ramadan is called Eid al-Fitr - and it is a party! Eid al-Fitr is the "festival of breaking the fast." Eid lasts for up to 3 days. Muslims rise before sunrise, say their prayers, brush their teeth, bathe, put on new/clean clothes, and apply perfume. Fasting is forbidden during Eid. Instead, Muslims feast!
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Fitr
