Ramadan

Hi, everyone!
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So this week we would like to introduce you the Ramadan (English: Ramadan, Arabic:رمضانن ‎), also called Ramadan month.
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This is a Buddhist language, which Islam has borrowed from Buddhist vocabulary. In Buddhism, Ramadan refers to the three months of the lunar calendar: January, May, and September. But in Islam culture, it is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, representing Muslim fast. The name of the month means "forbidden month" when Allah drops the Quran to the holy man of Muhammad.

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The earliest official Islamic observance of Ramadan began in 623 AD. This is described in verses 183, 184, 185 and 187 of the second chapter of the Quran. Allah's messenger Muhammad also said: "Ramadan month is Allah's month, it is more expensive than any month of the year. The start and end of Ramadan are marked by the appearance of a new crescent moon, which the imam looks up from the mosque's mezzanine and begins when he sees the slender crescent moon. As the time of the crescent moon varies, so does the time of Ramadan in different Islamic countries. At the same time, because the Islamic calendar year is about 355 days, while the Gregorian calendar has a difference about 10 days, Ramadan has no fixed time in the Gregorian calendar.

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​During Ramadan, every day between sunrise and sunset in the east, adult Muslims must strictly observe fasting, do not eat or drink, do not smoke, do not have sex and so on, to express self-sacrifice, praying and reading the Quran, except for the sick, travelers, lactating babies, pregnant women, lactating women, pregnant women, menstruating women and soldiers in battle, etc. It is not until the sun has gone down that people begin to dine, and then they start to amuse themselves or to visit friends and relatives as if it is in the Spring Festival.

A special reminder for non-muslims during Ramadan
Those who visit Arab and Islamic countries and do business during Ramadan must be careful not to smoke, drink or eat in the streets or in public places between sunrise and sunset when Muslims are observing Ramadan. Otherwise, Muslims would be seen as disrespecting their religious practices, and even get punished or detained in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. 

Given the low daytime productivity of Gulf Arab states during Ramadan, there is often no one to be found. Therefore, those conducting business visits and business negotiations should avoid visiting Ramadan as much as possible.

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Fast-breaking
The day after the end of Ramadan is the Muslim festival of Eid al Fitr(fast-breaking) where usually has three days off. It is one of the greatest Islamic festivals celebrated throughout the Muslim world. On this day, Muslims dress in festive costumes, participate in the festival ceremony, visit each other, mutually praise of Allah's grace and mercy, and celebrate the smooth completion of the annual second order of the Allah - fast and the end of Ramadan.

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Islam, on this day, prescribes every Muslim in the line of the religious ceremony at the same time. They are required to complete an obligation towards the society - such surcharge (eid), gives every Muslim, a happy and pleasant holiday, with such donation to feed the poor. Therefore, every Muslim enjoys the warmth of religion and affection and help between each other, which reflects the civilization of human society. ​​

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Written by: Zou Yi Lin