North Cyprus Inform

Ramadan starts 24 of September

THE holy month of Ramadan marks a period of one month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The fasting will end with the three-day Ramadan Bayram starting on October 23.

Devout Muslims in the TRNC joined around one billion of the faithful around the world in embarking on the 30-day Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The month — a time for fasting, prayer, contemplation, good deeds and celebration — ends on Sunday, October 22, and the three-day Ramadan Bayram festivities begin the next day.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and it is important because the faithful believe that this was when the Holy Koran was sent down from heaven as guidance to men, a declaration of direction and a means of salvation.

The date of Ramadan, like all Islamic holidays, moves each year because the months in the lunar calendar used by Islam — each month beginning with the sighting of the new moon - are about 11 days shorter than the traditional calendar.

During the holy month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining not only from food, but also drink, cigarettes and sex. For the strictly observant, even licking ah envelope or stamp is not allowed until sunset.

The daytime fast ends at "iftar", and is traditionally broken with a prayer, followed by an olive or a date and then a light meal.

The arrival of "iftar" is announced by the firing of a canon. In Girne, this takes place in the forecourt of the fire station, so be ready for the noise if you are in the area around the post office between 6pm and 7pm.

Devout Muslims use Ramadan as a time to remind themselves of virtues like charity, compassion and forgiveness and to avoid vices like selfishness and dishonesty. Several hours are devoted to prayer and studying the Koran. Observing the fast is the fourth of the "five pillars" on which Islam is built.

The evening of the month's 27th day — this year on October 20 — is celebrated as the Night of Power. This is when it is believed the Prophet Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Koran, and God determines the course of the world for the coming year.

Traditional celebrations of Ramadan Bayram, when banks and public offices and some shops in the TRNC will close, revolve around the family. Turkish Cypriots will first visit family elders, followed by other relatives and friends.

The holiday is also known here as "Seker (sugar) Bayram" and it is traditional to offer sweets and cakes to visitors. Children receive sweets and money when they kiss the hand of their elders.