What is Ramadan: Interesting Facts, Traditions and Celebrations

Interesting Facts about Ramada - Photo: Friendly Mobiles

It is anticipated that Ramadan will begin on the evening of March 22nd, 2023.

The Islamic lunar calendar, which is calculated from observations of the moon's phases, is used to establish the month of Ramadan. The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar is always chosen for this event. The total number of days in this calendar is 354, which is 11 days less than the Gregorian calendar.

This is why every year the Islamic Lunar calendar falls behind by 11 days. As a result, the beginning of Ramadan moves forward by 11 days every year.

As the lunar cycle determines, Ramadan can last either 29 or 30 days. The fasting month of Ramadan typically concludes on the evening of the 21st of April this year.

Also, a total solar eclipse will occur at the end of the holy month.

What is Ramadan actually about?

The month of Ramadan is considered by Muslims to be the holiest month of the year. According to a saying attributed to the Prophet Mohammed, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained."

According to VOX, Muslims believe that God revealed the first verses of the Quran, Islam's sacred text, to Mohammed during the month of Rajab, on a night that is known as "The Night of Power" (or Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic). The Quran is considered to be the central text of Islam.

Every day from dawn until sunset, Muslims around the world observe the fasting ritual known as Ramadan. It is intended to be a time of spiritual discipline, including in-depth reflection on one's relationship with God, increased charity and generosity, additional prayer, and concentrated study of the Quran.

Photo: People

But even if that makes it sound extremely solemn and dull, rest assured that it is neither of those things. It is a time for joy and celebration, and the best way to spend it is with those you care about. Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, is a significant celebration that takes place over the course of three days at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It's kind of like the Muslim equivalent of Christmas in the sense that it's a religious holiday where everyone gets together for big meals with family and friends, trades gifts, and generally has a wonderful time with each other and with each other's company.

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How is Ramadan celebrated around the world?

Wednesday marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims around the world. During this month, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during the day in order to purify their bodies and minds.

As a way to commemorate the moment when the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed, Muslims get themselves and their homes ready each year for the holy month of Ramadan. They do this because they believe that doing so brings about a significant amount of peace. These are just some of the highlights of the month, but there are many more. During this time, homes are quieter, prayers can be heard across cities, iftar meals to break the fast are prepared early, young people volunteer their time to bring happiness to those who are less fortunate, and family gatherings are abundant.

Unity and closeness are present, as well as the sharing of meals, the strengthening of bonds, and the opportunity for spiritual reflection.

Large banquets are laid out in front of mosques as a form of charitable giving by Christian and Muslim communities alike.

Photo: Foreign Policy

It does not matter who is poor or rich when there is enough food for everyone because the experience of generosity brings people together regardless of their economic status.

In many homes across Saudi Arabia, the traditions associated with Ramadan are held in the highest regard. As the sun begins to set, homes become permeated with the aroma of cardamom and Arabic coffee, which are being prepared for the evening meal known as iftar.

There is also the sweet aroma of karkadeh, which is a hibiscus tea, mixed in with the rich aroma of fried dough that is being prepared for sambusa. Recitals of the Qur'an can be heard all over the Kingdom as family members begin to make their way into the homes of their elders bearing plates of traditional Arabic sweets such as lugaymat and atayef (thin pancakes stuffed with cream or crushed fried almonds with syrup).

The breaking of the fast in Saudi Arabia typically consists of a few dates and either milk or a yogurt drink, which is sometimes mixed with mint leaves.

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Ramadan Traditions Around the World

United Arab Emirates

We'll begin with Musafir.com's main page. UAE. Arab News reports that about two weeks before Ramadan, Emiratis celebrate Haq Laila, a kind of trick-or-treating, during which children go door-to-door in search of treats, which they then store in special bags called Kharyta.

Morocco

During Ramadan, a town crier - known as nafar - roams the neighbourhoods of Morocco in the traditional attire of a gondola, slippers and a hat. Elected by the townspeople, the nafar walks down streets blowing a horn to wake people up for suhoor.

Kuwait

Similar to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait's gerga'aan begins when the doorbell rings two weeks into the holy month, signaling the beginning of a three-day celebration in which children sing at the doors of their neighbors' homes in exchange for sweets and chocolate.

Egypt

Egyptian Muslims celebrate the start of Ramadan with elaborate lanterns called fanous, which are lit up in a variety of bright colors to represent the spirit of brotherhood and celebration that permeates the holy month. Even though this custom has more to do with culture than religion, it has taken on religious significance during the holy month of Ramadan.

Indonesia

The Muslim community of Java, Indonesia, performs a cleansing ritual called Padusan, during which members submerge themselves in natural springs, just before the month of Ramadan. It is believed that the cleansing effects of a bath prepare both body and mind for the rigors of fasting. Local elders and religious leaders, so the legend goes, used to select and assign sacred springs for Padusan. Many people today prefer to swim at public pools or in nearby lakes.

Maldives

In the archipelago known as the Maldives, Ramadan is locally called Roadha Mas. Here, the post-iftar celebration stands out. After iftar, poets are asked to recite Raivaru; Ramadan related poetry.

Albania

The Roma Muslim community has been around since the Ottoman Empire, and its members have been singing traditional songs to mark the beginning and end of the fast for centuries. They will be playing lodras, homemade double-ended cylinder drums covered in sheep or goat skin, as they march up and down the streets every day during the month of Ramadan. To mark the beginning of iftar, many Muslim families will invite them inside to play traditional ballads.

Lebanon

During the holy month of Ramadan, cannons are fired every evening in Lebanon to mark the end of the day's fast. More than two centuries ago, when Egypt was ruled by the Ottoman Khosh Qadam, this practice, known as Midfa Al Iftar, is said to have originated in the country. Though we've focused on Lebanon here, this custom is widespread in the Middle Eastern region.

Turkey

Similar to Morocco's nafar tradition, in Turkey, more than 2000 drummers don conventional Ottoman costumes and go around the streets of Turkey with their davul with the intention of waking up people in time for suhoor.

India

In the early hours of the morning during Ramadan, seheriwalas in Delhi, India, walk the streets chanting the name of Allah and the Prophet to serve as a wake-up call to Muslims for suhoor. This practice is similar to that of seheriwalas in Morocco and Turkey. Parts of Old Delhi, especially those with a higher Muslim population, continue the centuries-old practice.

15 Interesting Facts about Ramadan

1. It is believed that Muhammad received the first revelation during Ramadan.

2. The beginning of Ramadan can move as many as 11 or 12 days each year.

3. During Ramadan, Muslim-majority countries often shorten work days to allow for additional prayer time each day.

4. In Muslim countries the economy is impacted because of the fasting. It usually results in a month of inflation; prices go up.

5. If a non-Muslim meets a Muslim during the month of Ramadan, the appropriate greeting for good wishes is "Ramadan Mubarak" which means "Have a blessed Ramadan."

6. During Ramadan Muslims are obligated to give to charity through Sadaqa (voluntary giving), or Zakat (mandatory giving).

7. Children are not obligated to fast during Ramadan, not until they have reached puberty, but some practice in order to prepare for adult participation.

8. Fasting during the month of Ramadan, also known as Sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The Hajj, or pilgrimage, must be performed at least once in a person's lifetime. Giving to the needy is called zakat. Salat is the Muslim practice of praying five times a day while facing Mecca. It begins with an act of absolution. The Shalada is a declaration of faith in the existence of the one and only God.

9. The meal before the beginning of the fast is called suhoor, and the meal after sunset is called iftar.

10. The first prayer of the day is called Fajr.

11. Some Muslims may choose not to fast during Ramadan due to physical or mental health concerns; however, many others will continue to do so out of a sense of spiritual obligation. Fasting must be completed even if a person is currently unable to do so due to a medical condition but becomes fit to do so at a later time.

12. Muslims often break the daily fast with three dates and then a prayer called the Maghrib prayer. A meal follows which is often a buffet-style large meal.

13. During Ramadan Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran.

14. In some countries it is a crime to ignore Ramadan and break the fast.

15. There is a big party at the end of Ramadan called Eid ul Fitr to celebrate the end of the fast. Celebrations of Eid ul Fitr include getting dressed up, exchanging gifts, feasting, and spending time with loved ones. Additionally, Muslims use this time to seek forgiveness from Allah and to sing His praises (God).

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