RAMADAN

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. But it is far more than abstaining from food and drink—it is a comprehensive spiritual practice that encompasses prayer, charity, self-reflection, and community.

The month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. It is believed that during Ramadan, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained—creating an atmosphere of heightened spirituality and divine mercy.

While Ramadan is an Islamic observance, its values resonate across all faiths and cultures:

The pinnacle of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, believed to fall within the last ten nights of the month. This is the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad—a night described as "better than a thousand months."

Muslims spend this night in intense prayer and worship, seeking forgiveness and divine blessings. The exact night remains unknown, creating an atmosphere of sustained devotion throughout the final third of Ramadan.

Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a joyous three-day celebration marking the successful completion of the fast. Muslims perform a special congregational prayer, give obligatory charity (Zakat al-Fitr), exchange gifts, wear new clothes, and feast with family and friends.

It's a time of joy, gratitude, and reflection—celebrating not just the end of fasting, but the spiritual growth achieved and the renewed sense of purpose gained during the sacred month.