A Look At Ramadan And How Muslims Observe The Holy Month

CAIRO — Observant Muslims nan world complete will soon beryllium agreed successful a ritual of regular fasting from dawn to sunset arsenic nan Islamic beatified period of Ramadan starts. For Muslims, it’s a clip for accrued worship, belief reflection and charity. Socially, it often brings families and friends together successful festive gatherings astir meals to break their fast.

Ramadan is followed by nan Islamic vacation of Eid al-Fitr.

First time of Ramadan expected astir Feb. 18-19

Ramadan is nan ninth period of nan Islamic lunar calendar; nan period cycles done nan seasons.

The commencement of nan period traditionally depends connected nan sighting of nan crescent moon. This year, nan first time of Ramadan is expected to beryllium connected aliases astir Feb. 18 aliases 19. The existent commencement day whitethorn alteration among countries and Muslim communities owed to declarations by aggregate Islamic authorities astir nan globe connected whether nan crescent had been sighted aliases different methodologies utilized to find nan opening of nan month.

This year, nan commencement of Ramadan is expected astir nan aforesaid clip arsenic Ash Wednesday, a intense time of fasting and reflection that signals nan commencement of Lent, nan astir penitential play of nan religion almanac for Catholics and galore different Christians.

Fasting is 1 of nan pillars of Islam

Fasting is 1 of nan Five Pillars of Islam, on pinch nan occupation of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage.

Muslims spot various meanings and lessons successful watching nan fast.

It’s regarded arsenic an enactment of believe to attain piety and 1 of submission to God. The devout spot benefits, including practicing self-restraint, cultivating gratitude and empathizing pinch group who are mediocre and hungry.

The regular accelerated successful Ramadan includes abstaining from each nutrient and portion — not moreover a sip of h2o is allowed — from dawn to sunset, earlier breaking nan accelerated successful a repast known arsenic “iftar” successful Arabic.

Muslims typically watercourse into mosques for congregational prayers and dedicate much clip to belief contemplation and nan reference of nan Quran, nan Muslim beatified book.

Charity is simply a hallmark of Ramadan. Among different ways of giving, galore activity to supply iftar for those successful need, distributing Ramadan boxes filled pinch pantry staples, handing retired lukewarm meals alongside specified things arsenic dates and juice aliases helping clasp free communal meals.

Muslims eat a predawn meal, called “suhoor,” to hydrate and nurture their bodies up of nan regular fast.

Exemptions from fasting

There are definite exemptions, specified arsenic for those who are incapable to because of unwellness aliases travel. Those incapable to accelerated owed to being temporarily sick aliases walking request to dress up for nan missed days of fasting later.

Cultural and societal traditions associated pinch Ramadan

Muslims are ethnically and racially divers and not each Ramadan traditions are rooted successful religion. Some customs whitethorn transcend borders, while others tin disagree crossed cultures.

Many societal rituals halfway connected gathering and socializing aft nan regular fast. Some Muslims decorate their homes, put retired Ramadan-themed tableware and centerpieces aliases throng to markets and Ramadan bazaars.

In Egypt, Ramadan is typically a festive time. Colorful lanterns, successful different shapes and sizes, dangle from children’s hands and adorn homes. Ramadan songs whitethorn beryllium played to invited nan month.

Ramadan’s soundscape successful Egypt has traditionally included nan predawn banging connected drums by a “mesaharati” who roams neighborhoods, calling retired to nan faithful, sometimes by name, to aftermath them up for nan suhoor meal.

New TV shows and communal meals

A lineup of caller tv bid is different societal fixture of nan period successful immoderate countries, and advertisers compete for viewers’ attention.

In various regions, immoderate Muslims interest that nan period is getting commercialized, and opportunity an accent connected decorations, TV shows, outings aliases lavish iftar banquets tin detract from Ramadan’s belief essence. Others opportunity that a equilibrium tin beryllium struck and that, successful moderation, specified rituals are portion of nan month’s festive spirit.

In Indonesia, Ramadan rituals alteration crossed regions, reflecting nan diverseness of cultures. In profoundly blimpish Aceh province, animals are slaughtered during Meugang festivities, nan nutrient cooked and shared pinch family, friends, mediocre group and orphans.

Hundreds of residents successful Tangerang, a metropolis extracurricular nan capital, Jakarta, flock to nan Cisadane River to lavation their hairsbreadth pinch atom straw shampoo and invited nan fasting period pinch a symbolic belief cleansing.

Across nan land of Sumatra, aft evening prayers, galore boys and girls parade done nan streets, carrying torches and playing Islamic songs.

In nan United States, wherever Muslims dress up a racially and ethnically divers minority, gathering astatine mosques and Islamic centers erstwhile imaginable for iftar meals and prayers provides galore Muslim families pinch a consciousness of community. Some Muslims besides shape aliases be interfaith iftar meals.

Fam writes for nan Associated Press. AP writer Niniek Karmini successful Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.