Millions of Muslims worldwide observe the month of Ramadan each year.
This year, the period of fasting began on March 11 for many countries, although some – including Indonesia, the Philippines, Morocco and Japan – will mark the first day of Ramadan in their calendars as March 12.
Throughout the holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with prayer, giving money to charity (zakat), Hajj, and saying the Shahada, which is a profession of faith.
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar and is a way to get closer to Allah, as well as recognising the needs of the underprivileged.
For those who are unfamiliar with Ramadan, here are several words you will likely hear often throughout the month.
1. Ramadan kareem or Ramadan mubarak
Ramadan kareem translates from Arabic to "generous Ramadan". It is the most common greeting used in the UAE.
In Islam, the holy month is believed to bring many rewards, so Muslims wish a generous Ramadan to each other.
Ramadan mubarak is another common greeting that means "happy Ramadan" or "blessed Ramadan".
You can use this or Ramadan kareem as a way of greeting one another throughout the holy month.
2. Sawm or siyam
These variations of the same word translate from Arabic to "fast".
While fasting, Muslims do not eat, drink or smoke. A greater focus is placed on worshipping, being thankful, getting closer to Allah and understanding the needs of the underprivileged.
You might also hear "ana sayim / sayma", which means "I am fasting".
3. Iftar
This is the meal that you open your fast with. It will be the first Ramadan in three years to be held without Covid-19 restrictions, after authorities dropped an indoor mask mandate in September last year.
Previous limitations on gatherings that once affected Ramadan traditions, such as visiting family and iftar or suhoor tents are no longer in place, allowing the full spirit of the month to be felt once more. Usually, majlis or tents are set up to host large gatherings for iftar.
4. Madfa
This is the iftar cannon that sounds when the sun sets and signifies the end of the fast. Uqlat Al Madfa, or the firing of the cannon, means Muslims can break their fast and have iftar.
5. Suhoor
Suhoor is the meal eaten before the fast begins, just before dawn. Health experts recommend lots of water and healthy food options to keep the body hydrated throughout the day.
6. Imsak
This Arabic word means beginning the daily fast. It is a period of time, about 10 minutes, before the dawn prayer begins and when people, who have eaten suhoor, must stop eating.
7. Mosaharaty
A mosaharaty is a person that roams the streets waking Muslims just before dawn to have suhoor. The traditional job is fast disappearing from modern life but can still be found in some areas of Egypt and Indonesia. Some use drums while others recite prayers to wake the sleepers.
8. Qada
Qada means to make up for an Islamic duty that was missed. During Ramadan, this is typically referred to someone doing something to make up for missing a fast.
Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan unless they are unwell, travelling or menstruating. Other reasons a Muslim might need to make up for missing a fast include accidentally eating or drinking, excessive bleeding or throwing up.
9. Kaffara
When a Muslim misses a fast for other reasons, they may need to carry out a penalty, which is called kaffara. This requires the individual to fast an additional 60 days. If they are unable to, they must instead feed 60 underprivileged people, with one average meal served to each.
10. Salah
Salah is prayer. Muslims are obliged to pray five times a day – fajr is the dawn prayer, dhuhr is in the afternoon, asr is in late afternoon, maghrib is the sunset prayer and isha is also a late evening prayer. During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to also pray taraweeh – though this is not obligatory.
11. Taraweeh
Taraweeh prayers take place after isha. These are extended prayers, typically performed in congregation at a mosque. During each nightly taraweeh, an imam will recite one of the 30 sections of the Quran. This ensures the holy book is completed by the end of Ramadan. While regular prayers can take between five to 10 minutes, taraweeh can take up to an hour.
12. Laylat Al Qadr
The final 10 days of Ramadan are considered the most holy because it is believed to have been the period in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammed by the angel Jibril (Gabriel). Laylat Al Qadr, or the night of destiny, is believed to be one of the odd numbered nights during the final 10 days. During this period, Muslims increase their piety and it is said that acts of goodness and night prayers carried out on Laylat Al Qadr are better than those carried out over 83 years.
13. Itikaf
This means to isolate and dedicate one’s time to something. During the final 10 days of Ramadan, Muslims spend their days and nights at the mosque.
14. Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr is the religious holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan. Iftar is a derivative of fitr, which means to eat or break the fast so Eid Al Fitr is the "festival of breaking the fast".
Fasting is not permitted during Eid Al Fitr. Muslims offer Eid prayers on this occasion.
15. Zakat and Zakat Al Fitr
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It means to donate a certain percentage of one’s wealth to charitable causes.
Muslims around the world make donations during the Ramadan month.
Zakat Al Fitr is paid before the Eid Al Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan.
15 Ramadan phrases to learn:
- Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak
- Sawm or siyam
- Iftar
- Madfa
- Suhoor
- Imsak
- Mosaharaty
- Qada
- Kaffara
- Salah
- Taraweeh
- Laylat Al Qadr
- Itikaf
- Eid Al Fitr
- Zakat and Zakat Al Fitr
This story was first published on April 2, 2022
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.