What to know about Ramadan!

Many people ask me what Ramadan is and how fasting works, so I thought of writing a blog to explain better this religious period for Muslims and cover some curiosities.

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the year in the Muslim lunar calendar and can last from 29 to 30 days. Everywhere is a moment of sharing and union. It is customary to invite your neighbors and friends to share the evening lunch together – called iftar. Fasting is a responsibility for all Muslim adults and healthy , who from sunrise to the sunset cannot eat, drink or smoke. Instead children, old or sick people, pregnant women and travelers are excluded from fasting.

When arrives the sunset the fast is broke with a date or a glass of water. Then follows the evening meal. Ramadan is celebrated in the same way in all Islamic countries. Some differences in tradition are found in the foods that can be eaten. Each country has its own particularities: for example, in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco is prepared a couscous only with lamb ,raisins and dried fruit; in Syria and Jordan instead they eat the “katai”, sweets with coconut filling, hazelnuts and sugar.

Ramadan is also a month during which the believer must share with those who need.

Often it can be difficult, but it has always been my favorite period, because firstly is a holiday that unites all families at the table and than living without food all day is a very useful experience, to understand all those children and people who have nothing to eat!