In the ninth month of the islamic calendar, musims all around the world focus on praying, fasting, and reflecting on their past action. During this time it encourages muslim to be hardworking, sincere, and thruthful.

The holy month starts off with Ramadan and it’s when all muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and this is a 30 day cycle. To start off the day, all muslims wake up around 4 in the morning to eat, this is called sahari and before we go back to sleep we pray our first prayer of the day, which is Fajr. We have a mini feast in the morning so we can have energy before iftar which is the time we break our fast. Throughout the day we have to remind ourselves of the prayers that come before iftar which are Dhur (noon prayer), Asr(Afternoon prayer), and Magrib( Sunset prayer). As it’s time for iftar, we all set up the food and sit at the table and say a small dua. A dua is a small religious saying to break our fast. Then, it’s time to eat!

Ramadan is a very special time for muslims! It gives muslims a view of one’s relationship with god. We read the Quran throughout the month but we have to finish it on a very important night, Laylat al Qadr, the night the quran was revealed. This tradition actually started when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed and when the 5 prayers were finalized. It was a way for everyone to be spiritually clean and drop their bad habits or there fast wouldn’t count. It refrains us from cursing, wearing explicit clothing, watching inappropriate stuff. Ramadan is especially trying to educate all of us about the starving people around the world that would be grateful for anything they have and it’s a way for us to feel the hunger strike they undergo on a daily basis. It is a reminder to us that we should take all the food we receive for granted and donate money to the unfortunate.

Muslims show commitment to God by following the five pillars of Islam. These are declaration of faith, obligatory prayer, compulsory giving, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca. I know this can be a lot of responsibility for one month for all muslims but the satisfaction I gain after achieving everything that month is out of this world! I feel like I get a chance to redeem myself every year and start off with a clean slate. Not only my hard work pays off but I also get to celebrate Eid al- Fitr which a muslim holiday that celebrates the end of ramadan! In this holiday, muslims dress up really fancy and gather up with friends and family to commemorate their achievement!

Without a doubt, I look forward to that month every year! The overcrowded Masjid, the sneaking away to the candy shop during iftar, and the amazing feast with friends and family have created the most wonderful memories and have shaped my childhood. Can’t wait for Ramadan to come around this year and help me improve on my mistakes!