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Ramadan 2017

Hello Bloggers,

I took a few minutes today to write about the Holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast. I hope you take the time to read it and hopefully learn something from the post.

Ramadan might begin on the 26th or 27th of this month depending on the sighting of the moon.

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar which depends on the Lunar calendar, this makes Ramadan at a different time each year. Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars in Islam and is required by Muslims if they are physically and mentally healthy and at an age of maturity (not required of young children unless they want to try it out)
The five pillars of Islam include:
  1. Shahadah (Faith)
  2. Salat (Prayer)
  3. Zakat (Charity)
  4. Sawm (Fasting)
  5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)
Some reasons that Muslims fast during the month include to discipline the self and to learn to say no to desires whether that be over-eating, or things that may be prohibited to Muslims in Islam. It allows us to focus on bettering ourselves by focusing on prayer, worship, and to become conscience of ourselves. It also allows us to feel the pain and suffering of others less fortunate then ourselves that may be experiencing hunger. At the end of the fasting day you can at least break your fast with a nice meal while others may not be able to (those living in poverty and/or experiencing hunger).
There are many physical and psychological benefits of fasting as well!

A typical day in Ramadan starts out with Suhoor in the early morning which is waking up before the Fajr (Sunrise) call of prayer and eating breakfast. You should aim to stop eating before the call of prayer or athan and then pray and either sleep or stay awake to do acts of worship (prayer beads, reading Quran, etc). Around sunset or Maghrib Athan is when you break your fast. Looking time wise here in London you would be starting your fast around 4:00am and then breaking your fast around 8:50pm.

To mark the end of Ramadan Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr which will either be on the 24th or 25th of June (again moon sighting dependent). Eid al-Fitr celebrations are traditionally three days long in length and in places in the Middle East are still celebrated as a three day event!

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