Each year, the Muslim community around the world observes its most sacred holiday, Ramadan. The ninth month of the Muslim lunar year, it is a time of intensive worship, inner reflection, close connection to God, and obligatory fasting for all hours of daylight. It is felt that fasting facilitates self reflection and greater connection to spirituality.
In North America, Ramadan begins at sundown on August 11 and ends at sundown on September 9. For the entire month, fasting takes place from morning until dusk at which time, a generous meal is served. Because of the restorative qualities of dates, dates and recipes that include dates are an important part of the break-fast meal.
In the last days of Ramadan, just before Eid al-Fitr, each Muslim family gives a determined donation to the poor in the form of food – generally rice, barley, dates, and dried fruits – to ensure that the needy may have a holiday meal and participate in the celebrations.
During the month of Ramadan, food gifts such as gift baskets including dried fruits and nuts are shared between friends and family. We, at Kosher Gift Box are pleased to offer our Ramadan Reflections Gift Basket which reflects the food traditions of this important holiday.
What is Eid Al-Fitr?
At the end of the month of Ramadan, three days are devoted to the joyous observing of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-Breaking. Those who participate not only celebrate the end of the month of fasting, but also recognize others in need, and give charity. On the day of Eid, it is custom for Muslims to wake up early and have a small breakfast, usually of dates. In fact, fasting is forbidden as this festival marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan.
After the morning prayer, Muslims begin their celebrations. Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days, and is truly a joyous occasion, as it marks the serious accomplishment of fasting for the entire month of Ramadan, and the spiritual growth which comes from doing so.
During these days, Muslims scatter to visit and give gifts to different friends and family members. Children may receive new clothes or small amounts of money, but anyone may receive sweets! It is popular to give beautifully wrapped boxes of dried fruits and nuts, as well as gift baskets filled with dried fruits, nuts chocolates and more.
On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Muslim Americans generally wake up early and attend morning prayer. However, as many Muslims are immigrants or have immigrant families, they celebrate with specific traditions according to the customs of their individual culture. Often, American Muslim families are not aware of Ein al-Fitr until just before its first day, sometimes even the night before. This is because the date of the festival is based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Often communities check with and decide together whether or not the moon has been sighted and the festival declared. Although it is possible that the festival be held at different times in different places across the country, most of these communities follow the information given by the Islamic Society of North America.
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2010, Kosher Gift Box
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