Ramadan – It is also called as Ramzan and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is observed as a month of fasting (roza) by Muslims all around the world including in India. As per Islamic belief, Ramadan is an Arabic word, which means scorching heat or dryness and is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Important activities in Ramadan – I am eager or excited to wait for the holy month of Ramadan and happy to observe the fast (roza) during Ramzan. Firstly, I took Sehri with light food including bread, egg (omelet), milk, fruits, and tea before sunrise or Fajr Prayer (Namaz).  During the fasting (Roza) between sunrise and sunset, we are instructed to avoid consuming food, drinking liquid including water, smoking, and also sexual activities with our partners. We are also instructed to avoid fighting, and bad behavior with other individuals, false speech (backbiting, lying, cursing, and insulting) throughout the fasting from sunrise to sunset in the holy month of Ramadan. So, fasting (Roza) teaches us to control hunger or overeating, backbiting, and bad behaviors with other people and also practice self-discipline and self-control.

Thus, I also avoid and do not drink including water, and consume food during the fasting. During fasting (Roza), I also avoid bad behavior and fighting with other individuals, backbiting, insulting, lying, smoking, and many more. I also try to recite the whole Quran in the holy month of Ramadan. I also observe Shab-e-Qadr and offer special prayer (namaz) in the Alvida Jumma in the last 10 days of Ramadan. During the last days of Ramzan, I purchased new clothes for the Eid celebration.

During the month of Ramzan, Zakat (Charity) must be given to poor individuals who are not able to buy new clothes for the Eid celebration. After sunset, I took Iftar with several delicious foods including water, dates (Khajoor), different types of pakoras, sharbat, fruits, eggs, bread rolls, and many more with our family members. We also organized an Iftar party for close relatives with several delicious dishes in the last days of Ramadan.