Ramadan 2015 is from June 18th to July 17th.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.
Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan, and some will try to become better Muslims by praying more or reading the Qur'an.
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations; in some interpretations, Muslims also refrain from other behavior that could be perceived as sinful, such as swearing, engaging in disagreements, backbiting and procrastination.
Food and drink is served daily, before dawn (known as the suhoor) and after sunset (known as the iftar). Spiritual rewards for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.
Many Muslims will attempt to read the whole of the Qur'an at least once during the Ramadan period. Many will also attend special services in Mosques during which the Qur'an is read.
Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.
The end of Ramadan is marked by a big celebration called 'Eid-ul-Fitr', the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.
Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practise self-control.
The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
There are special services out of doors and in Mosques, processions through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal - eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month.
Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends.
During Eid-ul-Fitr Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with their friends and family.
At Eid it is obligatory to give a set amount of money to charity to be used to help poor people buy new clothes and food so they too
The Suhoor at dawn should be good and full, and suitable meat are needed, because many daytime activities consume a lot of energy. You should drink enough water before the fasting. Iftar at sunset should be simple, meat should be less than the Suhoor, and fruits with water is preference.You should not eat too full at Iftar, since eating too much will increase the burden of the stomach and cause indigestion, which may affect the fasting of next day morning.
you`d better prepare some Arabic Jujubes, which are called as the best food of Iftar.
People who plan to pay a visit to Arabic states or Islamic states during Ramadan should notice that:
No smoking,drinking,eating in the public places from dawn to sunset, or you`ll be regarded as paying no respect to Muslim`s religious customs, you may even face penalty or imprisonment in Saudi Arabia and Gulf States .
In Saudi Arabia , restaurants are not allowed to open at daytime during the Ramadan. In some high class Dubai restaurants,people can eat and smoke but no alcohol.
Anyway,mon-Muslim should pay respect to Muslims` religious customs.
Via www.bbc.org www.wikipedia.org
edited by HACOS,please inform us before repost
and indicate the resource.
HACOS,Business Services Solution Master
