More than 20,000 Muslims residing in the south of Tenerife, where the majority of the community on the Island settles, have been celebrating Ramadan since yesterday, the holy month of the Islamic religion and one of the five pillars of Islam, in which Healthy adults refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, sexual intercourse, or any act considered immoral from sunrise to sunset.
The South, where the vast majority of the island’s mosques are concentrated, lives Ramadan with special intensity, especially in places like San Isidro (Granadilla), El Fraile and Los Cristianos (Arona), due to the high number of Muslims who reside in these towns.
In addition to abstinence, the Muslim community will increase the time dedicated to prayer and charitable activities until April 21, the date on which the period marked by “mercy, charity and forgiveness” will end. While Ramadan lasts, Muslims eat a copious breakfast, called Suhoor, and do not eat food again until Iftar, as the dinner eaten after sunset is called.
Muslims contacted by this newspaper underlined the benefits that Ramadan brings both at a social level and in individual health. “When you don’t eat during the day you feel the hunger of the poor, you put yourself in their place and that increases the willingness to help,” they said.
According to the Islamic religion, fasting is a duty of the adult Muslim, sane, healthy and not traveling. Minors are not required to fast, although some Muslims advise their practice at those ages.
The end of Ramadan will give way to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr (Feast of the End of Fasting), in which traditional dishes are prepared to share with family and friends, gifts are distributed, new clothes are worn and houses are decorated. It is one of the great celebrations of the Muslim year together with the festival of the Sacrifice of the Lamb (Eid Al-Adaa), which coincides with the pilgrimage to Mecca.
