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| What is Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr? |
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| Ramadan is the 9th and the
most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. On the 29th day
of Sha'ban - the 8th month in the Islamic calendar, the western
horizon is scanned for the new moon. Upon sighting the new
crescent, immediately after the sunset, Ramadan begins, though
fasting begins with the next dawn. If the moon is not sighted
on the 29th day, then 30 days of Sha'ban is completed and
Ramadan begins the next day.
Eid-ul-Fitr or Ramadan festival marks the end of the month,
Ramadan. |
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| What is the Significance
of Ramadan? |
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| In this religious month, Muslims
engage in prayers and charity. The most significant feature
here though is the fasting undertaken during daytime. This restraint
helps the devotees to: |
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Appreciate and to be thankful
for one's life's simple pleasures such as eating and drinking,
which will not be valued if one can indulge all the time |
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Learn self-control, as one cannot eat or
drink however hungry until the prescribed time. This exercise
thus teach one to avoid temptation and wrongdoing |
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Feel compassion and empathy for the poor
and hungry, which will prompt one to help those in need |
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Develop an attitude of humbleness towards
this world and its desires, thereby being able to engage
more in worship and spiritual advancement |
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| The Special Food during
Ramadan |
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When it is time to break fast,
the first thing eaten is dates, in imitation of what the Prophet
did.
For breaking fast, the special foods include: |
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Kanji
or Congee |
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Surtapam
- rolled pancakes with panipol |
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Pillawoos - crunchy, deep-fried banana batter,
drizzled with treacle |
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Ada - soft, juggery cakes |
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Addukku
Roti - layers of pancakes with a minced beef or chicken
filling, baked in a pastry covering |
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Pastol - rice flour and coconut patty with
tripe filling |
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Al-basara - shredded beef or chicken with
semolina, baked like a cake |
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| The special drinks include: |
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Sherbet
- rose syrup mixed in milk with poppy seeds floating on
top |
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Almond
Milk - a milky drink made out of almonds |
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| The Special Food on Eid-ul-Fitr |
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| Popular snacks served throughout
this special day are: |
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Dhosi out of fruits such as mango
and pineapple |
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Sau Arusi - a sticky, sweet made out of sego |
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Seeni ma - a sweet, sugary flour |
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| Eid-ul-Fitr Festival
Lunch Menu |
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| Dessert includes: |
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