Rabat, Morocco – Over 1.5 billion Muslims around the world (nearly a quarter of the world population) will embark on Saturday (27) on the fasting month of Ramadan, the most importante month in the Islamic calendar, and one of the religion’s five pillars. The information is from news agency EFE.
During this month, Muslims who have reached puberty may not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual intercourse while the sun is above the horizon. Menstruating and pregnant women, ill people, the elderly, and people traveling under harsh conditions are excused from the obligation.
These days, the exact time of sunrise and sunset are available to anyone with a cell phone, but the mosques also provide reminders with the calls to Fayer (rise) and Maghreb (set) prayers. In big cities, canons and sirens also go off to mark the much-awaited moment when the sun sets.
In Muslim-majority countries, life is completely transformed during the fasting month: businesses, public buildings and schools shorten their opening hours so the fasting becomes more bearable, whereas cafés and restaurants close during the day and open at night.
Paradoxically, the fasting month is also the time of year when spending on food is the highest. Consumption and price indicators skyrocket during the holy month.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum