What Is Ramadan? What Is Eid?
Ramadan is the holiest time of the year for Muslims around the world. It is the ninth month of the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is not the same as the solar calendar, so Ramadan does not begin on the same day every year. It often begins in March, April or early May.
During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink during the day. They fast to teach self control, to be reminded of people who suffer, and to think about being a good person.
Children, pregnant women, and sick people don't have to fast. People normally start fasting when they are teenagers.
During Ramadan people have 2 meals each day. One meal, called "suhoor", is before the sun rises. The other meal, called the "iftar", is after sunset. The iftar often begins with eating dates, the food Muhammad ate when he broke his fast.
A big 3-day celebration called Eid ul Fitr (Breaking of the Fast) takes place after Ramadan. Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and give thanks through prayers. Eid (pronounced "eed") is also a time of giving gifts and spending time with family and friends.
