Ramadan

Originally, the month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar, during which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the "Night of Fate" (Laylat ul Qadr - Kadir gecesi in Turkish). In the holy book, Allah proclaims that fasting (oruç) must be followed by Muslims.

If Ramadan never corresponds to the same period of our calendar, it is because, unlike the solar calendar, the Muslim lunar calendar has eleven or twelve days less, and therefore shifts the fasting period (about 10 days) moving it forward from year to year.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims (from puberty) get up before dawn to have their first meal which is called sahur, which they must finish before the morning call to prayer (imsak). In the evening, at sunset, with the evening prayer, they break the fast, with the meal called iftar. Between sunrise and sunset, fasting people should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having sex.

In the event of an unfortunate break in the fast (kaza orucu), the person must make up for it by fasting one more day per day of fasting not observed (this, before the following Ramadan).

Some people can be completely exempt from fasting, such as the very old, sick people, children, pregnant or menstruating women.

In general, during the fast, Muslims must respect the principles of moderation, humility and solidarity. The month of Ramadan celebrates generosity, hospitality, patience and tenacity.