Each year the Muslim community celebrates Ramadan, an ancient festivity that commemorates the revelation of Quran to the prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of the Islamic belief. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast, unless they are ill, pregnant, breastfeeding or travelling.
Ramadan takes place during the ninth month in the Islamic moon calendar. Because of the lunar nature of the calendar, each year the date for Ramadan changes in the Western calendar, being celebrated from June 18 to July 16 in 2015. During this festivity, Muslims participating in Ramadan must fast and they are encouraged to pray more than five times a day and read or study the Quran, the holy book for Muslims.
They cannot eat anything from the sunrise until dusk, but at night, the break from the fast becomes a party with special dinners and suppers. Dates are usually eaten to start breaking the fast. Then, delicious traditional dishes follow one another during the supper.
The most important day during Ramadan is called Laylat al-Qadr, which means “the Night of Power” in Arabic language. This date is important for Muslims because it symbolises the night when the Quran was given to Muhammad. Traditions during this night include several prayers, further study of the Quran and visiting the mosque. Those who can afford it can live in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan, which are the last ten days in the Muslim calendar as well. Laylat al-Qadr will take place on Monday, the 13th of July in 2015.
However, Ramadan is not only about fasting and meditating, it is also about sharing with others. For example, Muslim people give alms and money to charity more often during these festivities.
From TRANSLIT we wish our Muslim clients and partners a very Happy Laylat al Quadr and a happy Ramadan.
