Question

Ramadan (Ramadan) — month of fasting
- When: whole month of Ramadan (9th month of the Islamic calendar)
- Significance: month of fasting, prayer, Qur’an recitation, spiritual reflection and increased charity. Believed to be when the Qur’an was first revealed.
- Observances: fasting from dawn to sunset (suhur and iftar), nightly prayers (Taraweeh), increased charity (zakat and sadaqah), Qur’an study, abstaining from sinful behavior.

2. Eid al-Fitr — Festival of Breaking the Fast
- When: 1 Shawwal (day after Ramadan ends)
- Significance: marks the end of Ramadan and the fast; a day of thanksgiving and communal celebration.
- Observances: communal prayers (Salat al-Eid), special charity (Zakat al-Fitr), visiting family and friends, feasting and gift-giving.

3. Eid al-Adha — Festival of Sacrifice
- When: 10 Dhu al‑Hijjah (during Hajj season)
- Significance: commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God; coincides with the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage.
- Observances: Eid prayers, ritual animal sacrifice (qurbani/udhiyah) with meat shared among family, neighbors and the poor, charitable giving, family gatherings.

4. Hajj — Pilgrimage to Mecca (one of the Five Pillars)
- When: 8–12 Dhu al‑Hijjah (annual pilgrimage days)
- Significance: required once in a lifetime for those who are able; commemorates acts of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael and is a time of intense worship and unity.
- Observances: performing the Hajj rites (circumambulation of the Kaaba, standing at Arafat, stoning the devil, etc.). Though not a “holiday” in the home community, its culmination is Eid al‑Adha.

5. Ashura
- When: 10 Muharram (1st month)
- Significance: different meanings: for Sunni Muslims it’s a day of fasting in commemoration of Moses and the Israelites’ deliverance; for many Shia Muslims it is a major day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala.
- Observances: Sunnis may fast; Shia communities hold mourning rituals, processions, recitations and reenactments.

6. Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
- When: 1 Muharram
- Significance: marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar year and the Hijra (Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina).
- Observances: varies widely — quiet reflection, special prayers, recitation of history; some communities hold celebrations.


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Answer 1

1. Ramadan (9th Islamic month) — Month of fasting, prayer and Qur’an recitation; Muslims fast dawn to sunset (suhur/iftar), perform nightly Taraweeh, increase charity and spiritual reflection.

2. Eid al‑Fitr (1 Shawwal) — Festival marking the end of Ramadan; communal Eid prayer, Zakat al‑Fitr, visiting family, feasting and gift‑giving.

3. Eid al‑Adha (10 Dhu al‑Hijjah) — Festival of Sacrifice tied to Hajj; Eid prayer and qurbani (animal sacrifice) with meat shared among family and the poor, plus charitable giving.

4. Hajj (8–12 Dhu al‑Hijjah) — Mandatory pilgrimage once in a lifetime for those able; performing rites in Mecca (Tawaf, standing at Arafat, stoning) culminating in Eid al‑Adha.

5. Ashura (10 Muharram) — For Sunnis: a recommended fast commemorating Moses’ deliverance; for many Shia: a major day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali, observed with processions and recitations.

6. Islamic New Year (1 Muharram) — Marks the Hijri year’s start and the Hijra; observances vary from quiet reflection and special prayers to communal gatherings.