5 Things You Should Know about Ramadan 2013

(This story was written by Patch staff and posted by Michael Woyton)

It's Ramadan, the holiest time in the Islamic faith, and worshippers around the region are joining with Muslims around the world to mark the month with fasting, prayer and celebration.

Locally, Westchester's Turkish Cultural Center has organized a Ramadan Dinner Series that feature performances of traditional Turkish whirling dervishes. The next two are July 19 in Hartsdale and July 25 in Tarrytown.

"We are hosting an interfaith Ramadan dinner series at different houses of worship and the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown," says the TCC website. "There will be live Sufi music accompanied by the Whirling Dervish dance performance. To be discussed at the event is what is the meaning of Ramadan and the role of Ramadan in the Turkish culture." 

The month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is recognized and practiced all around the world for 28 to 30 days every year. Ramadan 2013 runs through through Aug. 8, according to the Fiqh Council of North America.

It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is known to be month of reflection and complete submission to Allah (God). Here are five things everyone should know about Ramadan.

1. Ramadan is recognized to be the month in which the first verses of the holy Quran were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Layalat Al-Qadir is said to be the anniversary of the actual day when the Quran was presented to Muhammad and in English it is known as “the night of power.” Layalat al-Qadir usually falls within the last 10 days of Ramadan and is commonly marked by gathering at a mosque and reciting the Quran until sunrise. Recitation of the entire Quran is also important to achieve throughout this month.

2. Eating and drinking is prohibited from sunrise to sunset. Fasting in Arabic is called sawm, and in English that means refrain. Fasting is supposed to teach self-discipline, patience and spirituality. However, participating in Ramadan is much more than not eating and drinking. People are encouraged to restrain themselves from any type of haram, or sin, including backbiting (or being catty), gossip, looking at unlawful things and using obscene words.

3. Breaking the fast is called “Iftar." The daily fast is traditionally broken with a bite of a fresh or dry date. This is preferred because the prophet Muhammad broke his fast on these middle-eastern fruits. If dates cannot be found, water is a good second choice.

4. Family bonding time is cherished and looked forward to in the month of Ramadan. Everyone’s busy schedules are put on hold as they get together around the dinner table to share the first and most important meal of the day. Typically, large amounts of food are prepared for iftar that include soup, salad, appetizers, a main course and dessert.

5. Eid Al-Fatur is the day that follows the last day of Ramadan. This holiday celebrates the arrival of a the new moon the day after Ramadan ends. Eid celebrations begin with the recitation of the prayer Salat al-Eid and visits with family and close friends. Homes are decorated festively with lights and banners and gifts of clothes or money are exchanged.

Ramadan Mubarak—Have a blessed Ramadan.