R AMADAN Reem Sanalla

D EFINITION Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendarIslamic calendar The month lasts 29–30 days Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims.fardh

While fasting from dawn until sunset Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and sexual relations.food Fasting includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran. salatQuran

P RACTICES DURING R AMADAN Fasting: The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities.

Suhoor and Iftar: Each day before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called suhoor. suhoor At sunset, families hasten for the fast-breaking meal known as iftar. iftar

L AYLAT AL -Q ADR This is the night in which Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent down to Muhammad stating that this night was "better than one thousand months ”.

E ND OF R AMADAN The Muslim holiday of Eid ul- Fitr, festivity of breaking the fast"), sometimes spelled in English as Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month called Shawwal in Arabic.

T HE DESSERTS AFTER THE I FTAR

T ARAWIH P RAYER