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Manal Raafat

Ahmose I [ Born of Iah ] *** The Egyptian Pharaoh

Ahmose I was one of the most important Pharaohs in the history of Pharaonic Egypt so the article is little bit long, sorry for that.  

 The Name Ahmose I: 

sometimes written Amosis I, “Amenes” and “Aahmes” and meaning Born of Iah.

The meaning of the name: 

 The name Ahmose is a combination of the theophoric syllable ‘Ah’ and the combining form ‘-moses’. The theophoric syllable ‘Ah’ refers to the deity Iah.
Note: Iah is a god of the moon in ancient Egyptian religion. His name simply means moon.His family:Ahmose I, was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the founder of the Eighteenth dynasty. He was a member of the Theban royal house, the son of pharaoh Seqenenre Tao and brother of the last pharaoh of the Seventeenth dynasty, King Kamose.

AhmoseI-Statue Head Metropolitan Museum

His life:
During the reign of his father or grandfather, Thebes rebelled against the Hyksos, the rulers of Lower Egypt. When he was seven his father was killed, and he was about ten when his brother died of unknown causes, after reigning only three years. Ahmose I assumed the throne after the death of his brother, and upon coronation became known as Neb-Pehty-Re (The Lord of Strength is Re).

During his reign, he completed the conquest and expulsion of the Hyksos from the delta region, restored Theban rule over the whole of Egypt and successfully reasserted Egyptian power in its formerly subject territories of Nubia and Canaan. He then reorganized the administration of the country, reopened quarries, mines and trade routes and began massive construction projects of a type that had not been undertaken since the time of the Middle Kingdom. This building program culminated in the construction of the last pyramid built by native Egyptian rulers.

Ahmose’s reign laid the foundations for the New Kingdom, under which Egyptian power reached its peak. His reign is usually dated to the mid-16th century BC.

Dates and length of reign
Ahmose’s reign can be fairly accurately dated using the Heliacal rise of Sirius in his successor’s reign, but because of disputes over from where the observation was made, he has been assigned a reign from 1570–1546, 1560–1537 and 1551–1527 by various sources. Manetho gives Ahmose a reign of 25 years and 4 months; this figure is supported by a ‘Year 22′ inscription from his reign at the stone quarries of Tura. A medical examination of his mummy indicates that he died when he was about thirty-five, supporting a 25-year reign if he came to the throne at the age of 10. The radiocarbon date range for the start of his reign is 1570–1544 BC, the mean point of which is 1557 BC.

Art and monumental constructions

• With the re-unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Ahmose, a renewal of royal support for the arts and monumental construction occurred. Ahmose reportedly devoted a tenth of all the productive output towards the service of the traditional gods, reviving massive monumental constructions as well as the arts. However, as the defeat of the Hyksos occurred relatively late in Ahmose’s reign, his subsequent building program likely lasted no more than seven years, and much of what was started was probably finished by his son and successor Amenhotep I.
• Work from Ahmose’s reign is made of much finer material than anything from the Second Intermediate Period, though the craftsmanship from his reign does not always match the best work from either the Old or Middle Kingdoms.
• The art of glass making is thought to have developed during Ahmose’s reign.One of the earliest glass beads found contains the names of both Ahmose and Amenhotep I, written in a style dated to about the time of their reigns.
• Ahmose resumed large construction projects like those before the second intermediate period.[The Second Intermediate Period marks a period when Ancient Egypt fell into disarray for a second time, between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the New Kingdom. It is best known as the period when the Hyksos made their appearance in Egypt and whose reign comprised the Fifteenth dynasties.]
• Excavations at the site of Avaris by Manfred Bietak have shown that Ahmose had a palace constructed on the site of the former Hyksos capital city’s fortifications. Bietak found fragmentary Minoan-style remains of the frescoes that once covered the walls of the palace; there has subsequently been much speculation as to what role this Aegean civilization may have played in terms of trade and in the arts.
• Perhaps the most important shift was a religious one: Thebes effectively became the religious as well as the political center of the country, its local god Amun credited with inspiring Ahmose in his victories over the Hyksos. The importance of the temple complex at Karnak (on the east bank of the Nile north of Thebes) grew and the importance of the previous cult of Ra based in Heliopolis diminished.
• Several stelae detailing the work done by Ahmose were found at Karnak, two of which depict him as a benefactor to the temple. In one of these stelae, known as the “Tempest Stele”, he claims to have rebuilt the pyramids of his predecessors at Thebes that had been destroyed by a major storm The Thera eruption in the Aegean has been implicated by some scholars as the source of this damage, but similar claims are common in the propagandistic writings of other pharaohs, showing them overcoming the powers of darkness.

Pyramid of Ahmose I

The Pyramid of Ahmose I was built not as a tomb, but a cenotaph for pharaoh Ahmose I at the necropolis of Abydos, Egypt. It was the only royal pyramid built in this area. Today only a pile of rubble remains, reaching a height of about 10 m.

 

The pyramid was constructed from sand and rubble and only the usual limestone casing kept the building in shape. It had a base length of 52 m and was about 40 m high. The inclination of the sides was 60°.

 

It did not feature any chambers for burial. Around the pyramid were a number of temples and also a small cenotaph pyramid for his grandmother Tetisheri.

This pyramid was the last pyramid ever built as part of a mortuary complex in Egypt.

Ahmose I ‘s Mummy

Ahmose I’s mummy was discovered in 1881 within the Deir el-Bahri Cache, located in the hills directly above the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.

He was  interred along with the mummies of other 18th and 19th dynasty leaders Amenhotep I, Thutmose I, Thutmose II, Thutmose III, Ramesses I, Seti I, Ramesses II and Ramesses IX, as well as the 21st dynasty pharaohs Pinedjem I, Pinedjem II and Siamun.

The mummified head of Ahmose I

Ahmose I’s mummy was found within a coffin that bore his name in hieroglyphs, and on his bandages his name was again written in hieratic script.

While the cedarwood coffin’s style dates it squarely to the time of the 18th dynasty, it was neither of royal style nor craftsmanship, and any gilding or inlays may have been stripped in antiquity.

He had evidently been moved from his original burial place, re-wrapped and placed within the cache at Deir el-Bahri during the reign of the 21st dynasty priest-king Pinedjum II, whose name also appeared on the mummy’s wrappings.

Around his neck a garland of delphinium flowers had been placed. The body bore signs of having been plundered by ancient grave-robbers, his head having been broken off from his body and his nose smashed.The body was 1.63 m in height. The mummy had a small face with no defining features, though he had slightly prominent front teeth; this may have been an inherited family trait, as this feature can be seen in some female mummies of the same family, as well as the mummy of his descendant, Thutmose II.

Thanks 

Manal Raafat

Imhotep the symbol of the Egyptian doctors

Imhotep was an ancient Egyptian official.

He was called Imuthes by the Greeks, 27th century BC (circa 2650–2600 BC).

The meaning of the name:

“the one who comes in peace, is with peace”. 

 

He was an Egyptian polymath, who served under the Third Dynasty king Djoser as chancellor to the pharaoh and high priest of the sun god Ra (or Re) at Heliopolis.

Imhotep  in Louver

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He is considered to be the first architect and engineer and physician in early history though two other good physicians, Hesy-Ra and Merit-Ptah lived around the same time.

The full list of his titles is:

Chancellor of the King of Egypt,

Doctor,

First in line after the King of Upper Egypt,

Administrator of the Great Palace,

Hereditary nobleman,

High Priest of Heliopolis,

Builder,

Chief Carpenter,

Chief Sculptor,

and Maker of Vases in Chief.

Imhotep was one of very few mortals to be depicted as part of a pharaoh’s statue. He was one of only a few commoners ever to be accorded divine status after death. The center of his cult was Memphis. From the First Intermediate Period onward Imhotep was also revered as a poet and philosopher. His sayings were famously referred to in poems.

 

The location of Imhotep’s self-constructed tomb was well hidden from the beginning and it remains unknown, despite efforts to find it. The consensus is that it is hidden somewhere at Saqqara.

 

Imhotep’s historicity is confirmed by two contemporary inscriptions made during his lifetime on the base or pedestal of one of Djoser’s statues and also by a graffito on the enclosure wall surrounding Sekhemkhet’s unfinished step-pyramid. The latter inscription suggests that Imhotep outlived Djoser by a few years and went on to serve in the construction of king Sekhemkhet’s pyramid which was abandoned due to this ruler’s brief reign.

 

You will find a role for Imhotep, in priestly wisdom, in magic, in the formulation of wise proverbs; in medicine and architecture; this remarkable figure of Zoser’s reign left so notable a reputation that his name is not forgotten to this day. He was the patron spirit of the later scribes, to whom they regularly poured out a libation from the water-jug of their writing outfit before beginning their work.

I will focus today on his role in medicine. 

Imhotep is credited with being the founder of medicine. He was the author of a medical treatise remarkable for being devoid of magical thinking; the so-called Edwin Smith papyrus containing anatomical observations, ailments, and cures. The surviving papyrus was probably written around 1700 BC but may be a copy of texts a thousand years older. However, this attribution of authorship is speculative. The Papyrus can be viewed at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, New York City. The 48 cases contained within the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus concern:

• 27 head injuries (cases #1-27)

• 6 throat and neck injuries (cases #28-33)

• 2 injuries to the clavicle (collarbone) (cases #34-35)

• 3 injuries to the arm (cases #36-38)

• 8 injuries to the sternum (breastbone) and ribs (cases #39-44)

• 1 tumour and 1 abscess of the breast (cases #45-46)

• 1 injury to the shoulder (case #47)

• 1 injury to the spine (case #48)

His role in architecture and engineering

As one of the officials of the Pharaoh Djoser, he designed the Pyramid of Djoser (the Step Pyramid) at Saqqara in Egypt in 2630 – 2611 BC.

He may have been responsible for the first known use of columns in architecture.

As an instigator of Egyptian culture, Imhotep’s idealized image lasted well into the Ptolemaic period.

The Egyptian historian Manetho credited him with inventing the method of a stone-dressed building during Djoser’s reign, though he was not the first to actually build with stone.

Stone walling, flooring, lintels, and jambs had appeared sporadically during the Archaic Period, though it is true that a building of the Step Pyramid’s size and made entirely out of stone had never before been constructed.

Before Djoser, pharaohs were buried in mastaba tombs.

Egyptians considered Imhotep as a creative and inventive intellectual by the way he enlarged the burial site at Sakkara that was also constructed in stages. He amplified the existing tomb by adding five mastabas that decrease in sizes creating this unique form of architecture known as the great pyramid of steps. The burial compartments are great accomplishments of Imhotep’s work in design and engineering as well as debuted the progression of numerous complex structures such as tunnels, mortuaries, chapels, shafts and rooms for offerings. The massive tombs consisted of mud-brick walls and the style of the structure imitated a palace portico probably to mimic Djoser’s palace in Memphis where he lived at one point in his life.

The preservation of the king’s body was very important to Imhotep, like the conservation of the nation was a responsibility. As a priest who knew all ancient practices and rules, it was a given that he had mastered the understanding of the nature of building. Amongst other values, for Imhotep, it meant definiteness.

 

Although not certain, it has been believed that during a 40 year period of the Third Dynasty, Imhotep influenced and was the ultimate master builder of numerous other projects which have been finished. He wrote an encyclopedia of architecture that was used as the main bases and as guidance for Egyptian builders thousands of years after his death.

His death

In Ancient Egypt, Imhotep was considered to be an example of “personality cult” of Kemet, the notion that a person can be deified after his death and become some sort of a special intercessor for the living. Nonetheless, the conditions of Imhotep’s death are unknown. The mystery behind his death is amplified as his disappearance coincided with the disappearance of all his medical texts and architectural manuscripts. His tomb has never been found

 In addition, despite his major impact on Ancient Egyptian architecture and field of medicine, even ancient historians failed to write about him, which adds to his mystery. What makes this mystery somewhat ironic is that the name “Imhotep” in Ancient Egyptian language translates to “He who came in peace,” underlining the way he came into the world, made his impact, and left it in peace taking all his genius work with him. However, Imhotep became even more famous with his death and was worshipped for 2,000 years afterwards. Because of the mystery behind his death, he was considered as a demi-god. In Greek mythology, Asclepius was the god of medicine, therefore, Imhotep was often associated with him. Some even believed that he was Asclepius himself. Only statues made of him remained which referred to his genius mind and served to illustrate his existence on earth. After his death, he was known to be responsible for the use of columns and monumental stone in Egyptian architecture and considered to have fully advanced ancient Egyptian medicine. Nevertheless, he slowly turned into a legend and then a myth.

I hope you liked the post today.

Thanks

Manal Raafat

Related topics

Djoser and The Step Pyramid [ Photoshop Auto - Blend]

 

A Great Event that occurs every 2737 years

December 3 planets Mercury, Venus and Saturn  will be perpendicular to the Giza Pyramids.

I am inviting you from Egypt  to watch this event and celebrate it with us.

Some important notes :

Venus: 

Venus is the second planet from the Sun, orbiting it every 224.7 Earth days. The planet is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. After the Moon, it is the brightest natural object in the night sky, reaching an apparent size of −4.6, bright enough to cast shadows. Because Venus is an inferior planet from Earth, it never appears to venture far from the Sun: its elongation reaches the  maximum of 47.8°. Venus reaches its maximum brightness shortly before sunrise or shortly after sunset, for which reason it has been known in ancient time as the Morning Star or Evening Star. It was not until the Hellenistic era (300-200 BC) astronomers realised it was one object and gave it the name it has today.

Venus is classified as a terrestrial planet and it is sometimes called Earth’s “sister planet” owing to their similar size, gravity, and bulk composition (Venus is both the closest planet to Earth and the planet closest in size to Earth). It is covered with an opaque layer of highly reflective clouds of sulfuric acid, preventing its surface from being seen from space in visible light. Venus has the densest atmosphere of all the terrestrial planets in the Solar System, consisting of mostly carbon dioxide. 

Venus

Saturn:

is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Named after the Roman god Saturn, its astronomical symbol (♄) represents the god’s sickle. Saturn is a gas giant with an average radius about nine times that of Earth. While only one-eighth the average density of Earth, with its larger volume Saturn is just over 95 times as massive as Earth.

Saturn

Mercury:

is the innermost of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the smallest, and its orbit has the highest eccentricity of the eight. It orbits the Sun once in about 88 Earth days, completing three rotations about its axis for every two orbits. Mercury has the smallest axial tilt of the Solar System planets. The perihelion of Mercury’s orbit processes around the Sun at an excess of 43 arc seconds per century beyond what is predicted by Newtonian mechanics, a phenomenon that was explained in the 20th century by Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. The planet is named after the Roman messenger to the gods.

Mercury

Mercury and Venus each make appearances both as a morning star and an evening star (because they are inferior planets), but Mercury is much more difficult to see. At its brightest, Mercury is technically a very bright object when viewed from Earth, but it is not easily seen in practice because of its proximity in the sky to the Sun.

I am waiting for you ,there beside the pyramids.

You are welcome any time.

Thanks

MR

Jupiter Photo

Jupiter not included but I liked the photo.

Isis The ancient Egyptian goddess in the Louver museum, Paris

During my visit to the louver museum I noticed that there are many statues of Isis, different sizes and shapes, and different dates, and eras .
Isis, the Egyptian goddess of rebirth remains one of the most familiar images of empowered and utter femininity.

The meaning of the name Isis means “Throne” .

Her headdress is a throne. As the personification of the throne, she was an important representation of the pharaoh’s power. The pharaoh was depicted as her child, who sat on the throne she provided. Her cult was popular throughout Egypt.
Isis is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the patron of nature and magic.

Isis nursing Horus, wearing the headdress of Hathor.
statue in louver museum

She was the friend of slaves, sinners,artisans, and the downtrodden, and she listened to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats, and rulers. Isis is often depicted as the mother of Horus, the hawk-headed god of war and protection. Isis is also known as protector of the dead and goddess of children.

Her Family
In the typical form of her myth, Isis was the first daughter of Geb, god of the Earth, and Nut, goddess of the Sky, and she was born on the fourth intercalary day (Intercalation is the insertion of a leap day, week or month into some calendar years to make the calendar follow the seasons or moon phases).
She married her brother, Osiris, and she conceived Horus by him. Isis was instrumental in the resurrection of Osiris when he was murdered by Set. Using her magical skills, she restored his body to life after having gathered the body parts that had been strewn about the earth by Set.

Another statue of Isis in the Louver

Unlike the other Egyptian goddesses, the goddess Isis spent time among her people, teaching women how to grind corn and make bread, spin flax and weave cloth, and how to tame men enough to live with them (an art form on which many of us would welcome a refresher course!)

Isis taught her people the skills of reading and agriculture and was worshipped as the goddess of medicine and wisdom.

Isis became the model on which future generations of female deities in other cultures were to be based.

I hope you liked my post.
Thanks
MR

Related topics
Paris as i saw with my eyes *** part V The Gods and Magic In Pharaonic Egypt In louver museum.

The penultimate Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt’s*** Ay***

His names

Birth name , Ay or Aya: means Father of the God.

The royal name, Kheperkheperure : means  “Everlasting are the Manifestations of Ra” 

Ay was the penultimate Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt’s 18th dynasty. He held the throne of Egypt for a brief four-year period.

He was a close advisor to two and perhaps three of the pharaohs who ruled before him and was said to be the power behind the throne during Tutankhamun’s reign.

Portrait of Ay after fixing with Photoshop

The original photo

 

His Origins

Ay is usually believed to be a native Egyptian from Akhmim. During his short reign, he built a rock cut chapel in Akhmim and dedicated it to the local deity there: Min. 

He may have been the son of Yuya, who served as a member of the priesthood of Min at Akhmin as well as superintendent of herds in this city, and wife Tjuyu.

Records and monuments that can be clearly attributed to Ay are rare.

Tutankhamun’ period 

Ay’s reign was preceded by that of King Tutankhamun, who ascended to the throne at the age of eight or nine, at a time of great tension between the new monotheism and the old polytheism.

He was assisted in his kingly duties by his predecessor’s two closest advisors: Grand Vizier Ay and General of the Armies Horemheb. Tutankhamun’s nine-year reign, largely under Ay’s direction, saw the gradual return of the old gods – and, with that, the restoration of the power of the Amun priesthood, who had lost their influence over Egypt under Akhenaten. 

Ay performing the opening of the mouth ceremony for Tutankhamun, scene from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

His rule as pharaoh
Tutankhamun’s death at the age of 18 or 19, together with his failure to produce an heir, left a power vacuum that his Grand Vizier Ay was quick to fill:

Royal successionPrior to his death, Ay designated Nakhtmin to succeed him as pharaoh. However, Ay’s plan for his succession went awry since Horemheb became the last king of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty instead of Nakhtmin.

Some more names :

Min

Min was an Ancient Egyptian god  He was represented in many different forms, but was often represented in male human form, shown with an erect penis which he holds in his left hand and an upheld right arm holding a flail. As Khem or Min, he was the god of reproduction; as Khnum, he was the creator of all things, “the maker of gods and men”

Yuya (sometimes Iouiya, also known as Yaa, Ya, Yiya, Yayi, Yu, Yuyu,Yaya, Yiay, Yia, and Yuy)  

He was married to Tjuyu, an Egyptian noblewoman associated with the royal family, who held high offices in the governmental and religious hierarchies. Their daughter, Tiye, became the Great Royal Wife of Amenhotep III(Tiye was the mother of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten).

Thanks 

MR

Related topics

Queen TiyeThe Great Royal Wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III

Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Pharaoh Amenhotep III. and Colossi of Memnon.Add Your Touch To Your Photos

Colossi of Memnon of Pharaoh Amenhotep III…With Photoshop Lesson

Thanks For All The Readers

Many thanks for all the readers ,who left a comment.

I am so grateful for you all.

I hope you are enjoying .

My Facebook  page is Arts Of Photos

Thanks again

Manal Raafat ( MR )

Ramadan, the holy month.

Now all Muslims are celebrating Ramadan, the holy month.

Ramadan is the Muslim month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from dawn until sunset from eating, drinking, and sexual relations.

It  is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days according to the visual sightings of the crescent moon according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths.

The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root “ramida” or “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat or dryness.

According to Islam, the sawab (rewards) of fasting are many, but in this month, they are believed to be multiplied.Muslims fast in this month to offer more prayers and Quran recitations.

In the Quran
Chapter 2, Revelation 185 of the Quran states:
The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful.

Thus, via the Quran, Muslims are informed that Muhammad, first received revelations in the lunar month of Ramadan. Therefore, the month of Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month of the months of the lunar Islamic calendar, the recording of which began with the Hijra.

Beginning of Ramadan
Hilāl (the crescent) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan.

Practices during Ramadan
Fasting Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast. During fasting, intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, and resistance of all temptations is encouraged. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul and free it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat)

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Fasting is not necessary for women going through menstrual bleeding. Also, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 mi (23 km) in a day are exempt.

Increased prayer and recitation of the Quran
In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran (Juz’, which is 1/30 of the Quran) is recited. Therefore the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month. However it is not required to read the whole Quran in the Salatul Tarawih.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar.

Iftar
Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, the family will gather the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar. The meal starts with the eating of one or more (usually three) dates — just as Muhammad used to do. Then it’s time for the Maghrib prayer, which is the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served.

Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls, where a hundred or more may gather at a time.

Charity

Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakat, often translated as “the poor-rate”, is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam; a fixed percentage required to be given by those with savings.Sadaqa is voluntary charity in given above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakat. Muslims believe that all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded in Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakat for which they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqa in order to maximize the reward they believe will await them on the Day of Judgment.

Laylat al-Qadr

Sometimes referred to as “the night of decree or measures”, Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year.

Muslims believe that it is the night in which the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad, as stated in Chapter 97 of the Qu’ran. Also, generally, Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, ie-either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th.

End of Ramadan ***Eid ul-Fitr
The Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (festivity of breaking the fast), sometimes spelled in English as Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month called Shawwal in Arabic. This first day of the following month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid ul-Fitr.Eid Ul-Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition (fitra) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day.
Eid Ul-Fitr  is celebrated, with Salat al Eid, which  is a the special prayer for the Eid.

Decorations
Various cultural additions are mistakenly associated as part of the original celebrations arising from the time of Muhammad, as many of the forms of celebration in various cultures and countries have added. For example, no symbols of Ramadan were evident in any scholarly literature of Muhammad’s lifetime, yet in some places Ramadan is met with various decorations throughout the streets.

For example, in some Muslim countries today lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month.

Egyptian lanten

In Egypt, lanterns have become symbolic of Ramadan. They are hung across the cities of Egypt, part of an 800 year old tradition, the origin of which is said to lie in the Fatimid era where the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the city. In the West, many Muslim households have taken to decorating the inside of their homes to make Ramadan a more special time for their children. Usually parents buy new clothes and toys for their children or give them money.

It is still common to observe Salat al Eid which was the tradition of Muhammad.

Thanks

MR