DUSHANBE, July 25, 2011, Asia-Plus -- This year, the holy Islamic month of Ramadan will start on August 1, Nematullo Olimov, Secretary of the Council of Ulamo (an Islamic council that issues fatwas and religious guidance to Islamic religious organizations in Tajikistan), told Asia-Plus Monday afternoon.

“The Council of Ulamo calls on all merchants to consider the possibility of lowering prices of their goods, first of all, basic food products during Ramadan,” Olimov stressed.

The fourth pillar of Islam, which is fasting, is practiced during the month of Ramadan.  Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat and sun-scorched ground.  It is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, established in the year 638 CE.  It is considered the most venerated, blessed and spiritually-beneficial month of the Islamic year.  Prayers, fasting, charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month.

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by observant Muslims. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat the Suhoor meal (the pre dawn meal) and perform their fajr prayer. They break their fast when the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib (sunset), is due.

During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds.  Purity of both thought and action is important.  The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God Almighty.  The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm.  Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable.  Muslims can eat after the sun has set.  Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill, travelers and children who have not reached puberty are all exempt from fasting as lack of food and liquid in these situations could be detrimental to health.