Ramadan Kareem

Happy Ramadan. كل سنة و انتم طيبين. رمضان كريم. 

The first day of Ramadan is tomorrow. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar. This is the month where Muslims fast for 30 days. It's also believed that the Quran was revealed in the last 10 days of Ramadan. 

I will try to fast for a week. I will be here for 8 days of Ramadan (day eight I leave at like 10 am). It will be hard, but it's one of those things that it will be good to experience, especially in a Muslim country. 

Rules (from what I understand):

1. From dawn until sunset no food or drink. 

2. If you are sick, work physical labor, have heat stroke/dehydration, and/or are on your period you don't have to fast. 

3. If, for whatever reason, you don't fast certain days in Ramadan, you should fast throughout the year to "make it up". 

4. Be nice. Don't gossip, think bad things, or otherwise be a jerk. 

5. Help the poor. Volunteer your time. Be generous. 

6. Don't freak out if you mess up. Everyone is human. 

Since I am in a Muslim country, Ramadan is kind of a big deal. Companies start selling Ramadan themed products, stores deck out in Ramadan style decor, even fashion designers start making Ramadan clothing lines. 

Ramadan decorations in the Lebanese restaurant I ate at today. 

Ramadan Kareem is the greeting you give during Ramadan (along with the standard "kol sana wentom tayibeen"). It literally translates to "Ramadan is generous", but you say it as "happy Ramadan". 

Ramadan is the time when Muslims try and put themselves in poor people's shoes. By not eating and drinking, they will know what it's like to be poor and hungry. Also during this time, Muslims help the poor. They give the poor food, volunteer with charities, etc. By saying "Ramadan is generous" it's kind of reminding them of why they do it. (I think). 

Small Fanoos and other decorations. 

My favorite part, so far, is the decorations. They are really colorful and very... Ramadan-y. They also put out lanterns that are specifically for Ramadan, called fanoos. Some of them play music and they play during the sunset letting everyone know it's time to break the fast. 

My friend's Fanoos. (Thanks, Farrah for the pictures). 

That's a quick background of Ramadan. I'm sure once I actually experience it I'll have much more to say. 

That's all I have today. Thank you for reading. 

Learn something today. 

Byeeee

Corie.