Most non-Muslim Indians know little about this celebrated Mohammedan

festival. What they do know is that if they were lucky, or if they were to
work for the Government, Id would mean yet red number on the calendar.
Read on to learn more about this holy festival.

What is Ramzan?

Ramzan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. According to legend, the Holy
Koran was revealed in this month. Ramzan is thus regarded as highly auspicious and
this month is marked by fasting and prayers. Muslims keep a fast every day during
Ramzan. The rituals associated with Id and Ramzan have remained unchanged for
centuries.

Often, after the afternoon prayer at the mosque, religious lectures are held here.
Prayer services are also held here each night during the month of Ramzan. A small
portion of the Koran is read during each service, so that the entire book is complete
by the end of the month.

Ramzan is similar to Lent, in the sense that it is a period of abstinence and self
restraint. It also entails fasting from dawn to dusk, and every Muslim, except those
who are unwell, too old, or unable to fast due to other health or circumstantial
reasons such as travel, pregnancy or nursing, keeps the fast. So does that mean no
eating for a month? No. It does however mean no food, drink or tobacco from dawn
to dusk during this period. Children who have not yet attained puberty are not
expected to fast, but many parents like to make older children around the age of
eight fast for a few hours a day during this period, just so they get accustomed to
the rituals of self-restraint and build up their will power, so it is easier for them to
fast later on.

What is the reason for fasting during this time?

The Prophet Mohammed left Mecca and undertook the journey to Medina in 622 AD,
to join the other Muslims who had migrated to Medina to escape persecution in
Mecca. During this period, he fasted for three days. Many years later, He was to
receive a revelation from God, which stated that all followers of the Islam faith fasted
for a certain number of days. "Ramadan is the month of Ramadan should spend it
fasting..." (Chapter 2, Verse 183 and 185). Fasting also purports to reduce the
barriers between the rich and the poor, by creating an understanding of the
sufferings the poor undergo.

What is the connection between Id and Ramzan?

Id Ul Fitr is a festival that marks the end of the Ramzan period, and usually falls on a
new moon night, in the month of August or September. On this day, Muslims gather
in large groups at mosques, and offer their prayers or namaz. Id is one of the most
important festivals in the Muslim religion. On this day, Muslims from around the
world dress up in new clothes to celebrate Id with great enthusiasm. Id celebrates
the breaking of the Ramzan fast, which is why the word Fitr, which means 'to break'.
People greet each other with the words "Id Mubarak", and embrace three times.
Women prepare delicious sweetmeats at home, and vermicelli kheer (sweetened
milk) is a popular dish. Muslims also pay tribute to their ancestors during this time.