By: Khaliya Rajan
Celebrated from 624 CE – Present
Ramadan – The ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
- The month starts and ends with the arrival of the crescent moon.
- “Ramadan begins 10–12 days earlier each year, allowing it to fall in every season throughout a 33-year cycle.”
- Fasting during Ramadan is known as Sawm (one of the Five Pillars of Islam).
- Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, many Muslims break their fast by eating a date and drinking water.
- During Ramadan, Muslims fast (refraining from eating or drinking) from sunrise to sunset. Along with fasting, Muslims try to avoid negative thoughts, words, and actions. In addition, they extend kindness to the needy, offering support through donations and other acts of charity.
Eid al-Fitr – “Festival of Breaking the Fast” (“Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr”)
- Other names for Eid al-Fitr: “Kuchuk Bayram (Little Feast) in Turkic lands and Hari Raya Puasa (Fasting Day of Celebration) in Malaysia”.
- Eid al-Fitr is a festival celebrating the end of Ramadan.
- In countries with a majority Muslim population, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday.
- During Eid al-Fitr, “people gather together with family and friends; children go outdoors to play wearing brightly colored new holiday clothes. Girls in India and Pakistan show off fresh henna designs on the hands and arms.”
- Local Muslim cultures vary in traditional food for Eid al-Fitr: “In many countries, sweet pastries are a favorite food, traditionally prepared by women at home during the last days of Ramadan. Rice and vermicelli dishes are also popular.”