Due to different sightings of new moon, fasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan has begun today in most Middle Eastern countries, while the rest countries will start tomorrow. Pakistan and Iran are yet to announce the start of Ramadan because the Moon has not been sighted in these countries. “We used to fast and welcome Ramadan with happiness but now our life in the tents is so hard, diseases are rampant and it is too hot”, Sana Khamis, also displaced, said.
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With about 1,500 Muslims in the Greenville area many gather for prayer at the mosque, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
They spend their evening in Mosques for prayers known as “Taraweeh”, while free time during the day is spent by reading the Quran and listening to religious lectures.
Muslims also attempt to keep away from sins and worldliness in the holy month, during which the entire Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
End of Ramadan: This year, the holiday month ends on July 5, and is celebrated with a three-day holiday called Eid al-Fitr.
During this period, which lasts 29 or 30 days, believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex, from sunrise to sunset.
Meaning, it’s the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and is the holiest month of the Muslim calendar.
This calendar has eleven days shorter than the solar calendar, for this reason, the dates of beginning and end of Ramadan vary each year.
All Muslims are expected to follow these guidelines but there are exceptions for the elderly, the sick, pregnant women and young children. The first pre-dawn meal of the day during Ramadan is called “suhoor”.
The idea behind the fasting involved with Ramadan, as well as focusing on prayer and charity, is that it will purify the spirit, body, and bring the faithful closer to God.
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Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron hung Ramadan decorations and stocked up on food for the nightly feasts to break their fast.
