The holy month in the Islamic calendar, called Ramadan, begins this Saturday. It lasts exactly 30 days, concluding on July 27th.
For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is focused on prayers, fasting, honoring Islam and donating money to charity.
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar, with the final one third of the month considered the most holy because it honors the time when the prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran.
During this month, Muslims are obliged to fast, with the elderly, sick, pregnant and little children being exempt.
Ramadan is observed by over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, with it being one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Each year, Ramadan begins with the honoring of Hilal, which includes festivities and prayers and ends with the 3-day festival of Eid al-Fitr, when many people celebrate and take part in the Islamic prayer called Salat.
Ramadan is worshiped as a holy month, because according to Islam, during this period the holy texts of the Quran were revealed for the first time.
Fasting in Islam prohibits eating and drinking while there's light out. Throughout the day, Muslims must reflect on their life from the perspective of Islamic teachings, and must read from the Quran every day of the month.
Believers who fast during the month of Ramadan refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and other physical needs until sunset. During the night, all of these activities are allowed.
The month of Ramadan is called Ramazan by Turkish people but is celebrated according to Islamic canons.
On the last day of the holy month, handouts are given to the poor and orphans, with the minimum sum being determined each year by the Grand Mufti.
With the conclusion of fasting, believers need to salute each other, visit their older relatives and kiss their hand and ask for forgiveness.
In Islam, there are 4 holy months - Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan and Shawwal, in which Muslims must cleanse themselves of their sins by rereading the holy texts of the Quran multiple times.
