The Ramadan Holiday Tradition 

                                    By Tessa Mansfield 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calander. This holiday is observed by Muslims worldwide. Participants of Ramadan practice fasting in the month of Ramadan. Most Muslims use this holiday as a time of self-reflection and to strengthen their relationship with God. Ramadan is dictated by the lunar cycle, Beginning, and ending with a crescent moon. During Ramadan participants follow a strict number of rules. 

  People who participate in the holiday abstain from all foods and liquids from sunrise to sunset; including water, gum, and smoking. It is recommended that before sunrise Muslims eat a prefast meal, this prefast meal is known as Suhur. Sometimes Suhur resembles breakfast like foods, but in some cultures, it can include dinner- like foods. After dark they have larger meals that often include dates, which Muhammad is said to have eaten to break his fast.  

There are the five pillars of Islam and according to the Islamic religion the prophet Muhammad summarized Islam in five principles known as Shahada. It states that there is only one God and Muhammad is his messenger. This pillar is to have Muslims acknowledge that there is one true God, and that Muhammad is his messenger. The second pillar is Salat, which is devoted to performing ritual prayers. Participants of the Islamic tradition are summoned to prayer five times every day: at dawn, noon, midafternoon, dusk, and evening. The third pillar is Zakat. This pillar is devoted to giving charity and Sawm is about fasting during the month of Ramadan. For this pillar Muslims are called to care for their communities and not only through acts of charity but also by paying an alms tax. This also means adult Muslims are encouraged to offer a percentage of their assets for this tax. Hajj is the last pillar. It is devoted to making a pilgrimage to Mecca. During prayer, they choose to stay pure and clean by washing themself before and after prayer. 

The month of Ramadan is believed to be blessed by Allah and therefore good actions and prayer during Ramadan bring greater reward. Many Muslims devote to their religion to give up bad habits during Ramadan. They resolve to pray more and recite the Qur’an. Many mosques recite parts of the Qur’an each night.  

This is just a little bit of information on Islamic tradition & Ramadan. There is plenty of information in the world about holidays and I hope this article gives readers courage to do more reading on holidays and traditions that might not be yours and be knowledgeable.