[إيليا]

Ramdan, the ninth month of the Islamic year, is a holy month of fasting ordained by
the Koran for all adult Muslims . According to the Koran, the fast of Ramadan has been
instituted so that believers will become more pieous. This particular month was designated
because it was the month during which Muhammad received the first of the Koran's
revelations.
The fast during Ramadan begins each day at dawn and ends immediately at sunset. During the
fast Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, or smoke. Before going to sleep each night, special
congregational prayers are offered in which long passages of the Koran are read. The night
between the 26th and 27th days of Ramadan, the night of the first revaltion, is called the Night of
Determination, during which God determines the course of the world for the following year. The
day after the end of Ramadan is called the Fast-Breaking and is celebrated with special prayers
and festivities.




This marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and is a festival of great celebration. In Islamic countries it is a public holiday. The first Eid was celebrated in 624 CE by the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) with his friends and relatives.

Muslims are not only celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practice self-control.

The festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.

Muslims in most countries rely on news of an official sighting, rather than looking at the sky themselves.

Eid ul Fitr is very much a community festival and people go out into the streets to exchange greetings, and visit friends and relatives.

The celebratory atmosphere is increased by everyone wearing best or new clothes, and decorating their homes. There are special services out of doors and in Mosques, processions through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal?eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month.

Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends.

Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja)
The Festival of sacrifice which marks the end of the Hajj or holy pilgrimage, which is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, however it is celebrated by all Muslims, not just those who are on the pilgrimage.

The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim?s willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told