Palestinian boys read the Koran at the al-Omari mosque in Gaza City on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Ali Jadallah/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericasfour764960
When many think of the word “celebration,” introspection and contemplation aren’t words that come to mind. With July 4th having just ended, many of our ears are still ringing from the constant booms of fireworks in the sky, but at sunset tonight, the month of Ramadan will begin.
Muslims celebrate this occasion by fasting, which is the centric practice of Ramadan, as well as refraining from smoking and sexual activity. The typical activities of the days involve rumination, prayer, recitations of the Koran, and participating in acts of charity.
Muslim children are raised with a priority placed on Ramadan, though they are not required to participate in fasting exercises until they reach the age when they enter puberty. They may not be obligated, but many children don’t shy away from the challenge. They pursue it head on. A young girl named Maryaam Fatima first fasted at age eight. “When you fast it’s like in your heart,” she says. “You’re going more toward Allah.” Her days are spent praying and reading the Koran. “I don’t play,” she says, “because it is not a month for play.”
Though they may not be veterans or gurus when it comes to the month-long fast of Ramadan, I wouldn’t be surprised if many adults find themselves learning a lot from their children during the practice. Check out the great pictures we have of Muslim children participating in Ramadan as well as our full lightbox on the Islamic tradition!
A Palestinian boy plays with fire crackers celebrating ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Der El-Balah southern Gaza Strip where today is the complement of the month of Sha’ban, and tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan. Ashraf Amra/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericasfour762839
Palestinian refugee child plays in between makeshift tents in the Al-Zaiton neighbourhood before Breaking fast on the third day of the Holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza Strip, 22 July 2012. ALI ALI/EPA/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: epaphotos645907
Palestinian boy plays with sparkler fireworks to celebrate the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City. Ali Jadallah/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericasfour764953
A Palestinian girl buys a lantern ahead of the upcoming Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City. Ashraf Amra/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericasfour760784
A Palestinian boy looks at a traditional Ramadan lantern in a street market in Gaza City, on July 6, 2013, ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/SIPA/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: sipaphotosfour199225
Palestinian boy play with fireworks, during the Muslim holy month of fasting of Ramadan in Gaza City, on July 7, 2013. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Sipa USA/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: sipaphotosfour199404
A Palestinian girl buys a lantern ahead of the upcoming Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City. Ashraf Amra/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom. License this from Newscom.com: zumaamericasfour760785
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