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Ramadan is a festival celebrated in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar by the Islamic religion. It is a

time when Muslims (people who follow Islam) fast during daylight hours. This means that between

sunrise and sunset they are not allowed to eat or drink.

Pillars of IslamRamadan is the 4th of the 5 pillars of Islam. These pillars are what help Muslims with their faith and

guide them through the journey of life. They are duties that Muslims should carry out in order to live a

good life according to their religion.

Ramadan is called the month of the Qur’an which is the holy book of the Islamic faith. The Qur’an was

first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during this month.

What do Muslims do during Ramadan?During Ramadan Muslims believe:

• That during this month, more than any other time in the year, their good actions will be more

greatly rewarded

• That Ramadan makes it easier for them to do good things

• That they should try to give up their bad habits

Most Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan and see it as a time for cleansing and making

themselves a better person. Some try to become better followers of their faith by praying more or

reading the Qur’an. Many Muslims will attempt to read the whole of their holy book at least once during

the Ramadan period with most attending special services in Mosques (their religious building) where the

Qur’an is read.

Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds

them of the suffering of the poor or less fortunate, who aren’t as lucky as they and rarely get to eat

well and are forced to go hungry. Not all people have to participate in the fasting. Those who are ill,

elderly or pregnant are permitted to not fast during Ramadan. As it is a long time to fast during the day,

it is common to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the

iftar), directly after sunset. Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family and so because of this,

the fast will often be broken by different families coming together to celebrate an evening meal.

DIFFICULTY:

Eid-ul-FitrThe end of Ramadan is marked by a huge celebration called ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ which means ‘The Festival of

the Breaking of the Fast’. Muslims are not only celebrating the fact that fasting is over, but thanking

Allah (God) for his help and strength for getting them through the previous month and helping them

practise self-control. This festival begins when the first sight of the new moon is visible in the sky.

There are special services at Mosques, processions and parades through the streets and a special

celebratory meal that can be eaten during daytime – the first daytime meal that Muslims will have had

in a month. This festival is also a time of showing forgiveness and making amends. During Eid-ul-Fitr,

Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with their friends and family.

At Eid, it is also compulsory to give a set amount of money to charity. This will be then be used to help

those less fortunate to buy new clothes and food so that they can join in with the celebrations.

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1. Ramadan is:

a. The first pillar of Islam

b. The seventh pillar of Islam

c. The fourth pillar of Islam

Questions

2. During the Islamic calendar, when is Ramadan celebrated?

3. What is the Qur’an?

4. When do Muslims have to fast? How do they know when it is time?

5. Why do you think you have ‘duties’ if you follow a religion?

7. Name 3 things you are told about fasting during Ramadan.

9. Why do you think Muslims eat the meal just before sunset rather than through the night?

Self-discipline

Self-restraint

Generosity

6. Complete the table below:

How will they show it?

Suhoor

Iftar

Eid-ul-Fitr

8. Complete the table with definitions of terms:

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10. What can happen at the end of a day of fasting? Tick one:

a. Families get together to have a meal

b. People give money to charity

c. Muslims go to the Mosque

d. Muslims go to bed

Questions

Ramadan is the 3rd pillar of Islam

During Eid, Muslims wear their finest clothes and give gifts to children

Ramadan is a time to reflect on their behaviours and make themselves a better person

Muslims believe that praying more and reading the Qur’an will make them better Muslims

11. Tick True or False for each of the following statements:

True False

Muslims can eat before sunrise and after sunset

12. If you have participated in Ramadan, or would participate in the future, what would you find hard about

it and why?

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1. Ramadan is:

a. The first pillar of Islam

b. The seventh pillar of Islam

c. The fourth pillar of Islam

Answers

2. During the Islamic calendar, when is Ramadan celebrated?

3. What is the Qur’an?

4. When do Muslims have to fast? How do they know when it is time?

5. Why do you think you have ‘duties’ if you follow a religion?

7. Name 3 things you are told about fasting during Ramadan.

9. Why do you think Muslims eat the meal just before sunset rather than through the night?

Self-discipline

Self-restraint

Generosity

6. Complete the table below:

How will they show it?

Suhoor

Iftar

Eid-ul-Fitr

8. Complete the table with definitions of terms:

The 9th calendar month

The Holy Book of Islam

During daylight hours, between sunrise and sunset

To be a good member of the religion you should abide by certain rules and do certain things.

Duties are given so all followers of the religion have equal things to follow.

Happens between sunrise and sunset, it is a time of self-discipline, ill, elderly, pregnant women

don’t need to participate (plus other answers)

As it is the last time they can for a long time so want to have it as late as possible to last them

The meal at sunriseThe meal at sunset

The celebration at the end of Ramadan

Getting in to new routines, being strong

Avoiding food and drink when they are not allowed to have it

Giving to charity, supporting those less fortunate so they aren’t hungry

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10. What can happen at the end of a day of fasting? Tick one:

a. Families get together to have a meal

b. People give money to charity

c. Muslims go to the Mosque

d. Muslims go to bed

Ramadan is the 3rd pillar of Islam

During Eid, Muslims wear their finest clothes and give gifts to children

Ramadan is a time to reflect on their behaviours and make themselves a better person

Muslims believe that praying more and reading the Qur’an will make them better Muslims

11. Tick True or False for each of the following statements:

True False

Muslims can eat before sunrise and after sunset

12. If you have participated in Ramadan, or would participate in the future, what would you find hard about

it and why?

Answers

Own answers