Ramadan

Every year in the month of
Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn until
sundown--abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations with their
.spouses
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are
menstruating, pregnant or nursing, are permitted to break the fast and
make up an equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy and
,able. Children begin to fast (and to observe prayers) from puberty
.although many start earlier
Although fasting is beneficial to health, it is mainly a method of
self-purification and self-restraint. By cutting oneself from worldly
comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person focuses on his or her
purpose in life by constantly being aware of the presence of God. God
states in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you
as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn
(self-restraint." (Qur'an 2:183
?What is Ramadhan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year which follows a lunar
calendar. Each month begins with a sighting of the moon's crescent and
lasts 29 or 30 days until a sighting of the next month's crescent.
The month of ramadan commemorates the days when the Angel Gabriel
imparted the wisdom of the Koran, Islam's holy book, to the Prophet
.Mohammed
It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of
,Ramadan and lasts the entire month. According to Sharia, or Islamic law
,all adult Muslims must fast during the holy month. Only the sick
pregnant and nursing women, and travelers are exempt. This makes the
fasting a worldwide phenomenon observed by the devoted among the world's
.one billion Muslims as one international community
During the Fast of ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily
.lives. Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours
Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the
end of the day the fast is broken with a meal called the Iftar. The
,fasting person must abstain from lying, cheating, argumentation
evil. These are considered
.offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan
During Ramadan, Muslims continue with their prayers five times a day, but
after the night prayer is performed, a special prayer called Taraweeh is
performed. This is a voluntary prayer that consists of reading the Quran
during the time of Ramadan. The length of this prayer is usually 2-3
times as long as the daily prayers. In many mosques the whole Quran is
read during Taraweeh prayers over the month. In some mosques it is read
.several times