Muslims consider Ramadan to be a month of atonement, mercy and abstinence from carnal pleasures. As soon as a young crescent moon appears in the sky on the last day of Sha'ban, Great Lent begins. Allah is watching the believers at this time and decides their destinies.
From August 21, Muslims begin the holy month of fasting Ramadan. This holiday was created in honor of the message of the Koran to humanity. This event lasts 30 days, during which it is forbidden to eat and drink during daylight hours. This fast is a must for all healthy Muslim adults. It can be avoided by sick people, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, children, as well as travelers, the military and people engaged in hard work.
When the sun goes down, the faithful can eat. Usually, the meal begins with dates and milk, and then the meal continues with a variety of delicious dishes. Sometimes it lasts all night, until a new dawn.
In different Muslim countries, the beginning of the holy month is slightly different from each other. This is due to the fact that the holiday occurs according to the lunar calendar, and the position of this satellite of the Earth is not the same in different parts of the planet.
In Islam, it is believed that only fasting (especially during Ramadan) will help Muslims atone for their sins. This religion does not have such a clergy who, in the name of Allah, can help the repentant. Therefore, believers are forced to atone for their sins before the face of the deity. Ramadan is a month of mercy and self-sacrifice for Muslims.
Fasting in Ramadan begins with the ceremony of "meeting", at this moment the believers are waiting for the young month to appear in the sky. The beginning of strict fasting is marked by drum rolls or cannon firing. At this point, Muslims go to the mosque to pray.
Ramadan concludes with modern ceremonies. For example, in some countries, people who cannot or do not want to fast must donate a certain amount to the poor for each day they fast.
In other Muslim countries and republics, it is forbidden to sell alcoholic beverages during the month of Ramadan. Sometimes, in connection with the upcoming holiday, the opening hours of the checkpoints are extended so that everyone can visit the holy places. In Jerusalem, women over 45 and men over 50 can now enter the Al-Aqsa mosques on the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.
