There are many holidays celebrated in the Islamic religion

There are many holidays celebrated in the Islamic religion. One very important holiday is Ramadan. For more than a billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a month of blessing. Many holidays have been commercialized, such as, “Christmas.” Ramadan maintains its devotion to self-sacrifice and to Allah (God). Ramadan is believed to be the month when the Holy Quran was revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad. The Holy Quran is the Muslim’s Holy Book. Ramadan is also important because it is the month in which the Muslims fast to achieve one of their spiritual goals.

During Ramadan Muslims must fast from dawn to sunset everyday. That means you may not eat, drink (including water), or smoke during the daylight hours. For married adults, it also includes refraining from marital relations during the hours of fasting. The people who are fasting are expected to do their best to have self-control, discipline, avoid getting angry, and refrain from using foul language. They are also not allowed to insult people, they must tolerate and they are supposed to forgive and respect others.

Young children, old, or sick people are not expected to fast. Usually children don’t start fasting until they are twelve. Elderly people may give poor people food for everyday they do not fast. The people that are sick may compensate by fasting other days when they feel better. Children are allowed to fast if they are strong enough, physically, to tolerate fasting without difficulty.

During Ramadan, in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Usually Muslim families get up early to eat suhoor, which is a meal before the sun rises. When the sun sets they eat a meal know as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drink that give a little energy boost. While the Muslims are fasting they are reminded of the suffering of the poor. In the most sacred month, fasting helps them feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion.