4 Family Ramadan traditions

There are a number of different traditions families observe during Ramadan that help to mark the occasion, involving different religious behaviours, meals and decorations. Here are the top four.

Ramadan is a month dedicated to prayer and observance when people get together to read from the Qu'ran and fast in order to promote solidarity between different social classes, and make people understand what it's like to be hungry and in need of help.

• The traditional fast of Ramadan is significant for both spiritual and physical reasons. Fasting requires that people abstain from food and other comforts so that they can truly appreciate the blessings that many less fortunate people around the world do not get to enjoy.
• For a full month, people are not allowed to eat or drink until after sunset. The idea is that with an empty stomach, people will feel more aware of and grateful for being able to eat a delicious meal.

• Although fasting is a requirement during the daylight hours, after sunset Muslims observing Ramadan will have the first meal, Iftar. Usually families gather together for this meal and treat it as a special occasion where no one is supposed to eat alone.
• When you get to the feast, know that there will be hot food served to every person and that you're expected to eat every bit of food on your plate. Why? To not to promote the idea of waste.

• Before Ramadan happens, children start to decorate their houses and their whole streets with coloured lamps and other decorations. Many neighbourhoods will string long chains of lights together and connect all the houses on the street. Many people also buy special lamps for their entryways to help them enjoy the magic and joy of Ramadan.
• The celebration is meant to highlight the values of the Muslim religion and the decorations used are meant to feel vibrant and festive. They're also meant to capture the spirit of Muslim people around the world.

• Another tradition exists to let families know when they can start Iftar. A special cannon that is located in the Citadel of Salah el-Din announces the beginning of Iftar by shooting a cannon ball, and it is shown on many TV channels.
• Families usually watch television and wait to see the cannon shot before they start eating the Iftar.