Ramadan Mubarak?
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Friday, July 20th, 2012 In Blog By Roman
The Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan is starting today (Friday the 20th of July) in most Muslim countries. Since we are based in Istanbul, we thought we’d share some musing about the month of Ramadan.
A common Arabic greeting is “Ramadan Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Ramadan”. In Egypt, however, it is not so popular anymore thanks to the forced resignation of the country’s former “blessed” leader, Hosni Mubarak. So, language use definitely changes when its speakers will it… Nowadays, Egyptians might wish each other “Ramadan Kareem”, or those wanting to crack a joke might say “Ramadan Tantawi”, in reference to Egypt’s commander-and-chief and de facto head of state after Mubarak, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. It was probably not a coincidence that even U.S. President Barack Obama wished the Muslim world “a blessed month/Ramadan Kareem” in his speech last year.
Besides fasting, the Holy Month of Ramadan has a lot of focus on charity and prayer. In addition, it is recommended for Muslims to read the whole Qur’an during this month. There are exceptions too: children, the elderly, mentally or physically handicapped, and pregnant or nursing mothers (just to name a few) do not have to observe the fast. The month will end in a big celebration and the start of a new year. Interestingly, some statistics say that some end the month with a few extra pounds, despite the month long fast. The tasty and hearty meals eaten between sunset and dawn among family and friends have a way of settling in, despite the abstinence during the sunlight hours.
Besides a month of fasting and stocking up on food, “Ramadan” is also a village in Azerbaijan as well as a popular name for boys that are born during the 9th month of the Arabic lunar calendar.
Well, we hope you’ve learned a little something about Ramadan, or Ramazan, as its called in Turkey. To those observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, we wish you a blessed month! And to our Turkish friends, “Ramazan Bayramınız mübarek olsun!“
The Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan is starting today (Friday the 20th of July) in most Muslim countries. Since we are based in Istanbul, we thought we’d share some musing about the month of Ramadan.
A common Arabic greeting is “Ramadan Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Ramadan”. In Egypt, however, it is not so popular anymore thanks to the forced resignation of the country’s former “blessed” leader, Hosni Mubarak. So, language use definitely changes when its speakers will it… Nowadays, Egyptians might wish each other “Ramadan Kareem”, or those wanting to crack a joke might say “Ramadan Tantawi”, in reference to Egypt’s commander-and-chief and de facto head of state after Mubarak, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. It was probably not a coincidence that even U.S. President Barack Obama wished the Muslim world “a blessed month/Ramadan Kareem” in his speech last year.
Besides fasting, the Holy Month of Ramadan has a lot of focus on charity and prayer. In addition, it is recommended for Muslims to read the whole Qur’an during this month. There are exceptions too: children, the elderly, mentally or physically handicapped, and pregnant or nursing mothers (just to name a few) do not have to observe the fast. The month will end in a big celebration and the start of a new year. Interestingly, some statistics say that some end the month with a few extra pounds, despite the month long fast. The tasty and hearty meals eaten between sunset and dawn among family and friends have a way of settling in, despite the abstinence during the sunlight hours.
Besides a month of fasting and stocking up on food, “Ramadan” is also a village in Azerbaijan as well as a popular name for boys that are born during the 9th month of the Arabic lunar calendar.
Well, we hope you’ve learned a little something about Ramadan, or Ramazan, as its called in Turkey. To those observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, we wish you a blessed month! And to our Turkish friends, “Ramazan Bayramınız mübarek olsun!“