Ramadan
is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in
Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating,
immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran
and charity are also encouraged during Ramadan.
Muslims also believe
that the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
During the holy
month, Muslims would wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and
they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
It is common for
mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly
prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.
Different cultures
have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is a special food they
must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family. Islamic tenets, such as
generosity, inspired most of these traditions, such as sharing food and
inviting guests over for iftar.
