Ramadan in Bangladesh
Ramadan is a month-long religious festival also celebrated in Bangladesh that culminates in the very important holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr. During the Ramadan period, followers of Islam overcrowd the mosques for prayer and take part in this festival. Ramadan is supposed to promote peace and places emphasis on the teachings of the Quran (Koran) and the faith of Islam. It is an integral part of the culture in Bangladesh where Islam is one of the most widely practiced religions.
Bangladeshi towns and villages come alive with lights and decorations on the street, in shops and in the market place as Ramadan is the one of the most celebrated Bangladesh festival of the year ij which masses of people participate. The recitation of the Holy Quran (Koran) by means of Tarabih prayers is taken very seriously by the Muslim community – as is the distribution of the Holy Quran (Koran). Muslims take the opportunity during the Ramadan festival to hand out gifts such as books and gifts in an effort to spread the “light”. The message of this time of peace and serenity is taken to the streets and spoken to anyone who will listen.
During the Ramadan festival, adults will “fast” for a month. This means that during the day they will refrain from eating, but at night they are allowed to eat small meals. Ramadan in Bangladesh is also a time to strengthen bonds between friends and family and Muslims will often choose to use the opportunity to visit each other or get together for supper. Children are not forced to take part in the fasting aspect of this religious festival but their participation is encouraged.
Special dishes are prepared during the Fasting of Ramadan, such as “Jilapi” which is a sweet, “Piazu” which is made from onions and “Beguni”, which is a brinjal dish. The importance and dedication to the festival of Ramadan is confirmed by the fact that many parents name their children ‘Ramzan’, in honor of this religious festival.
Committees and communities also use Ramadan as an opportunity to unite people from various economic backgrounds and build bonds between them. By hosting forums, discussions and talks, everyone is invited to participate in the festival and its meaning. Those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds are assisted financially so that they too are able to be a part of the celebrations. Ramadan is a festival of giving, taking care of others and educating the community about the Islamic religion. It is a warm and inviting festival that Muslims in Bangladesh anticipate with great excitement each year.
