Ramadan – It is celebrated as a month of fasting by Muslims across the world including in India. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is also called as Ramazan. According to Islamic belief, Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an Arabic word that means dryness or scorching heat.

Important activities in Ramadan – I am excitedly waiting for Ramadan and happy to observe the fast (roza) in the holy month of Ramadan. First of all, I took Sehri before sunrise with light food including milk fruits, tea, butter, and bread. During the fasting from sunrise to sunset, we are instructed to avoid drinking liquids including water, consuming food, sexual activities, and smoking.  We are also instructed to avoid bad behavior with others, fighting, and false speech (cursing, lying, insulting, and backbiting during the fasting. Thus, fasting teaches practicing self-discipline and controlling overeating, drinking, and bad behavior with others. I also purchased new clothes for the Eid celebration in the last days of Ramadan. I try to recite the whole Quran during the holy month of Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, Zakat (Charity) is also given to poor people who are not able to buy new clothes for the Eid celebration. After sunset, I took Iftaar with various delicious foods including several sweets, sharbat, fruits, several types of pakoras, and many more items. During the month of Ramadan, we organize an Iftaar party for relatives and invite non-Muslim friends that make and message for unity and increases strong bonding between different religions in our country.