Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting.
This year Ramazan (2020) fasting began on April 24th and will end on 23 May, which is known as the Ramazan feast eve.
More than one billion Muslims throughout the world celebrate this holy month. It is the month during which the holy Quran was revealed providing guidance for people through its tenets. Due to the use of the lunar calendar Ramazan falls 11 days earlier every year.
The common practice during Ramazan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The predawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is called the iftar. Muslims also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramazan. This is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship.
The fasting month of Ramazan brings to light several traditions of Islamic nations. El Mesaharaty is one of the oldest of Ramazan traditions. El Mesaharaty is the name given to the person who walks around beating his drum or chanting verses to wake people up to have their suhur (meal eaten early morning before beginning the fast)
Usually in the evening restaurants fill up, blankets will be spread In parks or people will gather in their homes waiting for the call to prayer or cannon fire which then allows them to break their fast at sunset After this month long tasting period we have the Ramazan Feast. This year it begins on:
Saturday 23 May – Ramazan Feast Eve, Sunday 24 May – Ramazen Feast – Monday 25 May-Ramazen Feast Day 2 – Tuesday 26 May- Ramazan Feast Day 3
Many people wake up early on the first day of the Ramazan Feast: they will put on their best clothes and have a large breakfast as this symbolizes the end of the fasting period.
The Ramazan Feast has an alternative name here In Turkey It is often called the Sugar Feast (Seker Bayrami) because people often treat their guests to sweets and traditional desserts during the festival.
Unfortunately due to the coronavirus pandemic and curfew, the celebrations this year will be restricted.
