Today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a month-long Islamic religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
This year, Ramadan will last until Sept. 21.
Ramadan is a time of worship and contemplation.
"This is a holy month for Muslims," said Nazmia Ramadan, a member of the Moose Jaw Islamic association. "It is considered special as it comes only once a year."
Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting where participating Muslims refrain from indulging in anything that is in excess.
"During Ramadan, Muslims fast and refrain from eating food, drinking, (having) sex and smoking," she said. "We fast from before dawn until after sunset."
The Koran says the fast begins when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread by daylight. When the daylight fades the fast is over.
"We start to fast well before sunrise and finish at sunset by eating dates, saying a prayer and having a meal called the iftar," said Ramadan.
Ramadan said the fasting is meant to teach patience and spirituality through the exercise of restraint.
"We spend more time praying and reading the Koran during the month," said Ramadan. "Muslims spend more time on their faith and less time on the concerns of their everyday lives."
Muslims believe that through prayer and fasting, they can achieve salvation and be relieved of any past sins.
"Ramadan is also a time to remember and visit family and friends," she said. "As Muslims, we are expected to give more to charities during the month and perform good deeds."
Muslims believe it was in the month of Ramadan that the Koran was sent down from God to the prophet Mohammed, said Ramadan.
Ramadan said Muslims perform a special night prayer, called the Taraweeh, during the month, in addition to the five daily prayers.
Eid-al-Fitr is the end of the monthly fast, said Ramadan.
"To celebrate the end of Ramadan, gifts are exchanged between family members, usually parents give new clothes to their children," said Ramadan.
"Family and friends also gather to have a large meal."
The purpose of Ramadan's fasting period is to reshape and renew the Muslim's physical and spiritual identity and behaviour, said Ramadan.
Muslims living in Moose Jaw can visit the Moose Jaw Islamic Centre in the basement of the City Square Mall to participate in Ramadan observances.
"The centre is usually open every night to bring the (Muslim) community together," said Ramadan. "There is a fair amount of families that come to the centre."
A few fun facts about Ramadan
The word, Ramadan, comes from the Arabic word ramida, which means intense scorching and dryness.
Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In the western, Gregorian calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary each year.
Children do not have to participate in the Ramadan fasting until they reach puberty.
Nazmia Ramadan, a member of the Moose Jaw Islamic association said children are encouraged to start fasting at the age of seven or eight.
"At first, younger children only fast for a half day until they can build up to the full day," said Ramadan.
Muslims believe that during Ramadan the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are closed.
For more information, visit the website IslamiCity.com.
- Dewar
