Ramadan: Some important facts

New Delhi: The auspicious month of Ramadan is going on all over India. Ramadan is an Arabic word which is derived from the root word ramida or ar-ramad, refers to scorching heat or dryness. Here are a few important facts relating to Ramadan.Fasting during Ramadan is meant for making Muslims feel the hunger and thirst a poor fellow feel when there is no food or drink for him/her. So, they fast and give Zaka'at or charity to the needy from their income.In Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the 9th month. Observing fast from dawn till sunset is obligatory for adult Muslims except those Muslims who are ill, traveling, pregnant, diabetic, or having menstrual bleeding. The holy month starts with the sighting of crescent moon and continues till 29-30 days depending upon the sighting of the moon.Muslims observing fast restrain themselves from consuming anything from mouth and indulging in sexual activity. They can eat or drink before dawn and after sunset. The meal taken before dawn is known as sehri (breakfast) and the meal taken after sunset is known as Iftar (fast breaking). Muslims break their fast by eating dates because Prophet Mohammed used to open his fast with dates during Ramadan. The holy mosque of Makkah witnesses the biggest Iftar in the world. In the mosque area, more than 12,000 metres of tablecloth are stretched daily. The daily cost amounts to one million Saudi riyals for organizing Iftar, according to official sources. The month ends with the sighting of crescent moon after 29-30 days of fasting. By the end of the Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr which literally means Feast of Breaking the Fast, the Sugar Feast and the Sweet Festival.From infants to elders, Both males and females, everyone celebrate the Grand festival with lots of enthusiasm.