When was ramadan in 1978

Much has changed between and The nation's population has grown tenfold, great cities have sprung up out of the desert and even in such a time of self-denial as the holy month, most people enjoy a level of comfort inconceivable in those times.

Yet some things remain the same. This year, as in , Muslims will fast for more than 14 hours a day. Shaikha Al Wali and Salem Al Shamsi, both Fujairah residents fondly remember the last time the holy month of Ramadan occurred in August, which was in the year Video by Razan Alzayani. Those with adult memories of the last August Ramadan are now approaching old age. But they still have fond memories of a time gone by and customs and traditions that were once observed here, but have now largely vanished.

For them, the hot summer of reminds them of Ramadan in , which began on August 5. Salem Abdullah Mohammed, 64, from Fujairah, recalls a number of local Ramadan customs that have not survived to the present day.

He has fond memories of the joy that illuminated the faces of people preparing for the holy month. It was customary to start stocking up for Ramadan well in advance, he says, for this was no ordinary month.

The extensive preparations often began during the previous month, Shaban. It was even customary for some to fast a few days during Shaban to prepare themselves to long fasting days ahead. The last 10 days of Shaban were usually the busiest: families would stock up on food, cattle, dried fish and live poultry because refrigeration was not always available. Consequently, most meals were fresh. In fact, Emiratis would buy wheat and barley and the mortars to grind them to prepare harees or wheat porridge, still a Ramadan favourite.

Mr Mohammed said: "Cooperation was common in the old days, especially when it came to preparing for Ramadan. Neighbours would share foods and other stuff, namely rare ingredients such as rice, which wasn't readily available at the time, and only the rich were able to afford it. Sheikha Al Wali was a child during that August Ramadan.

Now in her 40s and living in Ras Al Khaimah, she recalls the hardships of Ramadan preparations in the s. With no shopping malls or supermarkets, simply buying food was a major task and getting home again another matter. Rather than 4x4s, camels were the main method of transport for the men, who did the shopping. They often travelled long distances to obtain ingredients for iftar.

Meanwhile, the women gathered firewood and prepared their modest kitchens for the evening meal. The cooperative spirit of the neighbourhood is what she remembers most of all about Ramadan when she was growing up. Even young children were eager to play their part, delivering platters of food to friends and neighbours. Mr Mohammed said pollution has made it harder to fast these days, with more dust and smoke from cars and factories in the air now compared with three decades ago.

Still, he recommends adhering to the fast, saying it promotes spiritual as well as physical health, teaching patience and sympathy for the underprivileged and the hungry. Mr Mohammed recalls tricks for dealing with the heat. As you know, dates are harvested only in summertime.

Despite the scorching heat, we went on about our daily chores. We relied on traditional cooling methods such as soaking our clothes in water and sitting in the barasti huts to cool ourselves. That was the natural air-conditioning system of the time. People didn't care much about the heat in those days.

They were used to it and they adapted to it. It was as simple as that. Notes: All timings are represented in hour notation in local time of Jaipur, India with DST adjustment if applicable. Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise. Eid al-Fitr is also known as Meethi Eid and the festival of breaking the fast is a major Muslim festival and is celebrated across the world on the first day of Shawwal , the tenth month of the Islamic calendar Hijri.

Eid-al-Fitr also marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Traditionally, the month in Islamic calendar begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.

Thus, the sighting of the moon on the last day of Ramadan confirms the observance of Eid al-Fitr for the next day. During Ramadan, Muslims observe strict fast Rozah from sunrise to sunset each day and devote their time to establish a closer connection with divinity, Allah. They practice absolute abstinence during the month of Ramadan and dedicate most of their time in the devotion of Allah and his teachings.

Thus, Eid al-Fitr marks the beginning of festivities after the month-long discipline and restraint. The festivities begin with the early morning bath followed by the first prayer of the day called Salat al-Fazr also called Morning Prayer.

Then the whole family eats something sweet, traditionally dates and adorn themselves in new clothes and jewellery. Then men and boys walk to the Eid prayer venue, Eidgah or a big open space, where the whole community perform Eid prayers together as Eid prayers must be performed in congregation.

Women and girls can either stay at home to offer their prayers or can join the congregation. After the prayer, Eid greetings are exchanged as men, women, young and old donned in new clothes say Eid-Mubarak and embrace each other signifying love and mutual brotherhood. In the Indian subcontinent, Muslims in their traditional attire Shalwar-Kameez and traditional cap visit each other, give away gifts and participate in the revelry of Eid all-day.

Women adorn their hands with Henna for the occasion. Eidi, a sum of money is given to children as part of Eid gift.

A special feast is prepared on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which comprises mainly sweet dishes, thus it is also called Meethi Eid in India and other South Asian countries. The main delicacy of Eid al-Fitr is Seviyan which is made by boiling wheat noodles with milk and is served hot or cold garnished with dried fruits.