Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, reflection and prayer for Muslims around the world, began at sundown on March 11.
If you know someone who is celebrating Ramadan, you can say “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan) or “Ramadan Kareem” (Generous Ramadan).
Many religions practice fasting, such as Catholics during the season of Lent or Jews during Yom Kippur. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset for 30 days. They cannot eat any food or drink any liquid, and they also abstain from arguing, lying, swearing and other immoral behavior.
Fasting is believed to help cleanse the mind and the soul while gaining empathy for the less fortunate. Ramadan also encourages focus on prayer and reading the Quran, Islam’s sacred text.
Muslims gather together in their homes or in mosques to break fast. After sunset prayer, they share a meal: ifṭār. The meal traditionally begins with dates, apricots and water or sweetened milk. Other prayers are offered later in the night, and portions of the Quran are read until the entire Quran is recited over the course of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan. Prayers are offered in the morning and the rest of the day is dedicated to visiting family and friends, visiting the graves of relatives, giving gifts and wearing new clothes.
If you’re looking to learn more about Ramadan, be sure to check out the Yonkers Public Library catalog, or ask a librarian for specific recommendations!
Alison Robles is a Part-Time Junior Clerk at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she is currently pursuing an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.