1. Ramadan

2. 9 th month of the Muslim calendar (Sha’aban)

3. The month of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon

4. Ramadan lasts 30 days This year Ramadan began on Tuesday 4 th October 2005

5. Ramadan is an important social and religious time for over a billion (1,000,000,000) Muslims throughout the world It is considered to be the holiest period of the Islamic Year

6. The Quran; the holy book of the Muslims was revealed during this month, 14 centuries ago Quran

7. Each day during Ramadan, Muslim families get up early before sunrise to eat a morning meal together and to perform the Fajr prayer (salah) Fasting (Sawm)

8. Muslims like to pray as much as they can during this month and many manage to read the entire Quran Prayers/Salah

9. Prayers can be offered at a mosque or at home Al- Aqsa Mosque Muslims praying at Regent’s Park mosque

10. When Muslims pray they cover their hair to show their respect for Allah (God) Boys wear hats Girls wear scarves Prayers/ Salah

11. At sunset Muslims across the world break their fasts

12. Most Muslims like to break their fasts with dates and water

13. This is then followed by a variety of delicious foods

14. Not all Muslims fast during Ramadan

15. Charity Self-purification (inner & outer) Muslims practice:

16. Ramadan ends with a celebration called 'Eid-Ul-Fitr (eed-al-fitter), or the Festival of Fast-Breaking

17. This year Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Thursday 3rd November Islamic clock Makkah – centre of the Muslim world

18. Thank you ‘Ramadan Mubarak’

20. After prayers everyone wishes each other a huge ‘EID MUBARAK’

21. Yummy sweets and desserts are then eaten to mark the occasion

22. Then it’s time to dress up in your best clothes and shoes

23. Friends and families like to get together on Eid-ul- Fitr to celebrate the special day

24. Girls and women like to decorate their hands with beautiful patterns using mendhi paste (henna)

25. Eid cards, gifts and money are often exchanged

26. The partying goes on, sometimes all through the night