Afghanistan's Ramadan Traditions: A Cultural Perspective

Afghanistan does celebrate Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is a time when Muslims around the world focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion. The festival of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, marks the end of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Afghans usually visit friends and family, prepare lavish meals, and attend special prayers.

Ramadan in Afghanistan is a public holiday

The first day of Ramadan is a public holiday in Afghanistan. Schools and most businesses are closed, and it is a day off for the general population. The date of the festival depends on the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon in the evening sky. This year, the first day of Ramadan in Afghanistan fell on March 11.

During Ramadan, Muslims focus on prayer, fasting, giving to charity, and religious devotion. The last third of the month is particularly holy, as it commemorates the first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

In Afghanistan, people celebrate the end of the month of fasting with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking. This is an important religious holiday for Muslims worldwide, and it is marked by prayers called "Salat Al Eid" in Arabic. There is no audible call to prayer for these Eid prayers. Instead, Muslims gather in mosques or open spaces and offer two units of prayer, called "Rakat". The prayers are followed by a sermon, in which the imam asks for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for all beings across the world.

It is traditional to wear new clothes and eat something sweet, such as a date, on the way to the mosque. People also give money to the poor, known as 'Zakat al-Fitr', and send Eid greetings to friends and family.

The month of Ramadan begins when the Waxing Crescent Moon is observed in the evening sky

The Islamic calendar, also known as the lunar calendar, follows the monthly cycles of the moon's phases. The beginning and end of a lunar month are determined when the Waxing Crescent Moon—the newborn crescent moon—is observed in the night sky, typically in the evening after sunset.

For thousands of years, before the invention of telescopes and satellites, the start of Ramadan was determined by moon sightings by the naked eye. If the Waxing Crescent Moon was sighted, then that evening during sunset marked the first night of Ramadan. If it wasn't directly observed, perhaps due to bad weather, it was assumed that Ramadan would begin the next night.

Today, due to technological advancements, the calculation of the first day of a lunar month can be accurate and dependable without needing to observe the Waxing Crescent Moon. There are now two methods for determining the new lunar month or the start of Ramadan: through astronomical calculations and moon sightings. This means that Muslims around the world sometimes observe the beginning of Ramadan (and its end, Eid al-Fitr) on different days.

The Waxing Crescent Moon is the first phase of the moon that is visible from Earth after the New Moon. It has a sickle shape and can be seen in the day sky, becoming more visible at sunset and typically setting before midnight. The rest of the moon is sometimes faintly visible due to a phenomenon called earthshine or the Da Vinci glow, which is most noticeable in April and May.

In Islam, the sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon is of great importance as it marks the start of a new month and the end of the previous one. The length of the month is decided by the visibility of the Waxing Crescent Moon—if it becomes visible on the 29th day of the previous month, then the new month is 29 days long. Otherwise, the new month will have 30 days.

In Muslim countries, government officials and religious committees are responsible for the sighting of the Ramadan moon. In countries like the UK, mosque managements announce the beginning of the new month.

Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, marks the end of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr is also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" and the "Lesser Eid". It is one of the two main festivals in Islam, along with Eid al-Adha. The festival is celebrated for one to three days, commencing on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.

The date of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the new moon, so it does not always fall on the same Gregorian date. The day begins with a special prayer service at the mosque, followed by a sermon from the imam. Many Muslims attend the mosque with their families, dressed in their finest clothes.

After the prayer service, Muslims often visit friends and relatives, hold large communal celebrations, and give gifts to children. Food is a central theme of the festival, with sweet dishes and special meals being prepared and consumed. It is customary to greet one another with "Eid Mubarak", which means "Blessed Eid".

In Afghanistan, Eid al-Fitr is a significant and widely celebrated festival. Afghans prepare for the festival by cleaning their homes and buying new clothes, sweets, and snacks. Traditional meals, such as bolani (vegetarian flatbread), are popular during the celebrations. Afghans also visit their local bazaars and enjoy special festivities for children, who receive gifts and money from their elders.

Afghans celebrate Eid al-Fitr by visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts, and wearing new clothes

Eid al-Fitr is a significant religious festival for Muslims in Afghanistan and around the world, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It is a public holiday, with schools and most businesses closed.

Eid al-Fitr is a time for Afghans to visit friends and family. It is customary to wear new clothes, and children often receive gifts or money, known as "Eidi". People gather to pray and feast, sharing food with loved ones.

On the way to the mosque, it is traditional to eat something sweet, like a date, and recite a small prayer called a "takbeer". People also give money to the poor, known as "Zakat al-Fitr", and send Eid greetings to one another.

The festival is an opportunity for Muslims to show gratitude to Allah for the strength and self-control they were given during the month of Ramadan. The phrase "Eid Mubarak" is commonly used as a greeting, wishing others a "blessed festival".

Afghan refugees in the US celebrate Ramadan with gratitude for their safety but also agony for their loved ones back home

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, heightened devotion, and worship. It is a month of worship, recitation of the Quran, prayers, and fasting.

For Afghan refugees in the US, Ramadan is a time of mixed emotions. While they are grateful for their safety and the opportunity to start a new life, they also agonize over their loved ones left behind in Afghanistan, who are under the repressive Taliban regime. Many refugees have had to flee Afghanistan abruptly, leaving their families behind in life-threatening situations. They worry about the safety of their loved ones and feel distressed when they are unable to communicate with them.

In the US, Afghan refugees celebrate Ramadan in their new apartments or hotel rooms, as resettlement organizations struggle to find them permanent housing. They observe the fast, recite the Quran, and pray. They also connect with other Afghan refugees and local communities, who help them find housing, jobs, and English language classes.

For those who have settled in areas without a Muslim community, it can be challenging to adjust to celebrating Ramadan in a new country. They miss the special congregational prayers and the sense of community that comes with celebrating Ramadan in Afghanistan. Despite the challenges, Afghan refugees in the US are grateful for the support they have received and are adapting to their new lives.

One Afghan refugee, Maqsood Rahimi, described his experience of celebrating Ramadan in the US: "As long as we're all together, we don't feel like we're separated from family. It feels good."

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