"Although there are several holidays in the Islamic calendar,but there are two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha."

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This was the month that the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) by the angel Gabriel. It was first revealed to Muhammed when he was alone in the cave of Hira, in the rugged mountains of Arabia.

During the month, Muslims do not eat, drink, smoke, or have sexual relations with their spouses from dawn until dusk. It is also a time when people try to be on their best behaviour; avoiding backbiting, avoiding arguing, keeping promises, and being charitous with their time and resources.

Fasting is a time of joy and holy thoughts. It teaches Muslims lessons in life; being hungry and thirsty teaches self-discipline, self-control, and to care for other. This is a time when people try to be thankful for what they have and to remember the people who are homeless and hungry. Fasting also cleans and purifies the mind and body.

Muslims wake up before dawn and eat an early meal called suhur. They then make the morning fajr prayer after ablutions. Some people also read the Qur'an for a while, some others go back to sleep. In the evening when the sun is about to set, Muslims get ready for iftar, the breaking of the fast. They usually start with something small, like dates, fruit, water or juice. Then they make the fourth prayer of the day magrib. After magrib prayer, the Muslims eat a big dinner. Some people also go to the mosque for additional prayers.

Fasting requires a strong body and mind. Old people and young children, as well as pregnant or menstruating women or ill people are excused from fasting. Those who can not fast are expected to make up their fast as soon as possible after Ramadan, or pay the equivalent of one good meal a day as charity.

The Night of Power (Layat al-Qadr) occurs during of the last ten nights of Ramadan, is the holiest night of Ramadan and the entire year. Muslims believe that on this night God gave the Quran to Muhammad.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr literally means the Feast that Breaks the Fast. Eid al-Fitr takes place in the first month after Ramadan, Shawwal. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time for Muslims because it celebrates the completion of a month-long fast. Gifts and sweets are prepared, cards are made or bought and sent to relatives. The Eid lasts for three days.

Announcing the Eid

Eid depends on the sighting of the new moon. It is often confusing when the new moon has been sighted. It is not uncommon for the Eid to be celebrated on three different days, as various communities decided their date of Eid from different sources.

The fast is broken by the call to prayer from the mosque. Some places use the firing of cannons, guns, or the beating of a drum. As soon as the signal is heard, a release of emotion comes pouring out of the Islamic community; greetings, kissing, hugging, and handshakes overwhelm everyone.

The Eid Day

On Eid day, the whole community gets together at the mosque or sometimes a large park. Each person who goes to the Eid prayer takes a full bath or shower, dresses in their newest or best clothes, eats a quick breakfast and then attends the Eid congregation.

After prayer, everyone greets each other with "Eid Murbarak". Children often get a lot of gifts and money.

Some families visit the cemetery to remember their beloved dead, and sit by their graves for a while.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha which means the Feast of the Sacrifice, a major festival that lasts for four days. It commemorates the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim when he was called upon to sacrifice his son Ismail, and his triumph over the temptation of the devil.

Eid al-Adha takes place during the last few days of the Hajj. All Muslims participate in the feast, not only the ones who are on Hajj. Everyone thinks about the pilgrims who have gone on Hajj, and joins with them in spirit.

Eid al-Adha is a serious occasion, symbolizing the submission of each individual Muslim, and the renewal of total commitment to Allah. The preparation and activities that take place during Eid al-Adha are similar to the activities that happen during Eid al-Fitr.

Participants sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel which symbolizes the idea of self-sacrifice. The animal is not slain in a way to appease Allah, but as a meat for a communal feast. The meat is usually divided and shared with poor people who otherwise would not be able to afford the meat.

Islamic principles of slaughter are to slay the creature in the kindest way possible with the least amount of pain and without putting the animal to fear or distress. A very sharp knife across the jugular vein is used, so that the animal loses consciousness immediately. Prayers are said throughout the process. Killing an animal this way causes very little pain or distress, and the blood drains very easily

. Dates

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar year. Each month has 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes. Each festival comes 11 days earlier each year.

Muharram

The New Year, Muharram was declared the first month of the Islamic calendar by Caliph Umar. It is celebrated after the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates the Hijra, departure of the Prophet to Madinah, the moment that marked the turning point for Islam and the beginning of the spread of Islam. It is called AH (after the Hijra).

On this day, people make new year resolutions to improve their lives and to improve their worship to God.

Ashura (10th of Muharram)

Muslims fast on this day, although it is not required. The Prophet Muhammed said that anyone who fasted on this day would be granted rewards equivalent to a thousand martyrdoms. Ashura was already a day of fasting among the Jewish tradition. It was originally the Jewish Day of Atonement when the high priest or Rabbi had to make sacrifices for the sins of the nation.

In the Muslim tradition, Ashura celebrates a number of things. The creation of the Seven Heavens, the land, and the sea. The birth of Adam. The day Noah started a new life after the flood. The birth of Prophet Ibriham and the day he was supposed to sacrifice Ismail. The day on which Prophet Ayyub (Job) was released from his suffering. The day Allah saved Moses from the cruel Pharaoh. The day Prophet Isa (Jesus) was born. The day on which Judgment is expected