All you need to know about the holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan, the holiest month of the year in the Muslim calendar has begun.
For Muslims, the holy month is said to be the month Allah, (God), giving the first verses of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadan is among the Five pillars of Islam that Muslims are obligated to observe.
To Muslims, Ramadan is a month of spiritual dedication and personal growth. It is intended to strengthen one’s relationship with God.
EATING AND DRINKING
For the next 30 days, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating or drinking from dawn to dusk when they break the fast.
To break the fast, Muslim sip water and eat dates before performing sunset prayers.
They then share an Iftar feast with friends and family after performing sunset prayers.
EID AL FITR
They also have nightly prayers which are called Tarawih and are held in the mosque after Iftar.
Every Muslim is expected to fast, although children under the age of 13 years who have not reached puberty, women who are menstruating, sick people, elderly people, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and travelers are excused.
Ramadan ends with a three-day celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.
There is also the exchange of gifts by family and friends.