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Holy month of Ramadan has a few modern trappings©Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times, CAIRO -- Ramadan, which this year starts in mid November, is a holy month of fasting and prayer for Muslims -- the most sacred period on the Islamic calendar. During the month, devout Muslims refrain from food, drink, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. Many spend long hours praying at home or at mosques or reading from the Koran, their holy book. Ramadan commemorates the time when the Koran was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, about 1,400 years ago. The last 10 days of the month is the time when the piety of Muslims peaks, with some praying through the night in mosques. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five basic tenets, or pillars, of Islam, along with the confessional declaration that there is only one God and Mohammed is his prophet, praying five times a day, giving alms and performing the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, for the able-bodied and those who can afford the journey. As with other Muslim months, the exact date of Ramadan's start depends on the first sighting of the lunar crescent. The sighting can vary by days in different parts of the world. Depending on the sighting, Ramadan can last for 29 or 30 days. Families and friends gather to break the fast at the sunset meal, iftar, when cooks go out of their way to produce specialties. The day's other meal is called sohour and is taken just before dawn. Ramadan hasn't been spared some of the trappings of modern times. Muslims in the Middle East have for decades been treated to TV programs produced especially for the month. Soap operas, quiz and variety shows are popular, as well as religious programs.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
