While you are enjoying the end of Labor Day weekend, the Muslim month of fasting, or Ramadan began here. At l: 00 a.m. Monday morning, I was awakened by the banging on pots by young boys walking around the neighborhood. Muslims who fast awaken this early to prepare and eat a meal before sunrise. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end at sunset. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, marital relations or getting angry during the daylight hours. In addition, those fasting are supposed to refrain from bad habits - lying, getting angry, and using bad language as well as to be more diligent in prayer and give to charities. It is believed that fasting heightens spirituality and develops self-control.

I’ve immediately noticed changes .First, all the schools, including ours are closed for the students for the first three days of Ramadan. It is courteous to refrain from eating and drinking in public during the daylight hours of Ramadan, so I’ve been quietly eating in my classroom. Restaurants are less busy at lunch, and some places may even draw their curtains so as not to disturb those who are fasting, many of the food stalls along the roads were closed during the day- only to open and stay open throughout most of the night.
After sunset, the fast is broken by consuming a sweet snack and drink. Often it is a date or two (they are stockpiled in the grocery stores, much like candy canes and peeps) or kolak and cendol. I've eaten the dates - I'll keep you posted if I try the other two sweet treats.