A Muslim Holiday
As more types of people move around the world, we say that our communities are becoming more diverse. This means there is a greater variety of people living in an area.
Your parents or grandparents may remember when most people living in a neighborhood or town were of the same race or practiced the same religion. But today, most communities include people from many different backgrounds.
This week, The Mini Page learns more about Muslims. Muslims practice a religion called Islam. One of their most important religious celebrations is called Ramadan (RAH-mah-dahn). This monthlong holiday begins this year at sundown on March 10.
About Muslims
There are about 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. As many as 3.5 million Muslims live in the United States.
Muslims follow the teachings of the prophet Muhammad (moo-HAHM-mahd), whom they believe received direction from God, or Allah.
This guidance was delivered to him through the angel Gabriel, and his friends wrote the verses and chapters of the Quran (koo- RAN), the Islamic religious text. Muhammad lived from about 570 to 632.
Mini Fact:
The Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in Mecca, is the holiest place in Islam. No matter where they are, Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers.
An important holiday
The dates of Ramadan change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon’s cycles.
During Ramadan, Muslims make an effort to stop what they are doing and pray five times a day. They also think about their lives and how to help others during Ramadan. Kids might set goals for being better people, such as being nicer to brothers and sisters.
Fasting
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast, or go without eating for long periods of time. People wake up before dawn and have breakfast. Then they don’t eat or drink anything again until after sunset.
Fasting helps Muslims remember that “impossible is nothing” — that they can do anything.
Children may fast only a halfday or every other day. Once they reach their early teens, they must begin fasting all day, as adults do.
Eid al-Fitr
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with a three-day festival called Eid alFitr (eed ahl-FIT-uhr). They enjoy parties with friends and have joyful prayers at the mosque.