Ramadan Comes to a Close

Another year, another Ramadan come and gone.  It is the time of Eid ul-Fitr, or just Eid.  Around here, it’s known as Ramazan Bayramı.  These days mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  I spouted a few things going on here regarding Ramazan in this post.  Having started about a month ago, Azeris and Muslims around the world ended their fasting today.  No more stuffing faces before sunup and abstaining until sundown.  Regular meals commence.

Last week started the special time during Ramadan when the Quran had been handed down to the Prophet, called Laylat al-Qadr (That’s the Arabic…I couldn’t find a word for it in Azeri).  A few of my more devoted acquaintances headed to their village mosque and stayed up repeatedly overnight for prayer and contemplation.  Since no one is absolutely sure what night the holy book arrived, they do it on the odd-numbered nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan.  Going without sleep for multiple nights, abstaining from food during the day, it creates a sort of alternate existence.  Maybe next year I’ll give it a shot.

Ramadan will end today as families gather around to break their fast mid-day.  Undoubtedly, there will be mountains of plov and probably Lənkəran’s specialty, Ləvəngi.  And general eating habits return to the populace.  Or, at least for the third or so of the population that was fasting.