Ramadan started this week (dawn February 18) and will run until sunset on March 19th. Ramadan is known as Ramazon in Uzbek and came to the region with the Arab conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries. I conducted research on the background of Ramadan, as I was curious about its origins and the role it plays in the lives of Muslims. Ramadan dates back to 610CE when the Angel Gabriel revealed the first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad. This occurred in the ninth month of the Lunar calendar. In 624CE Muhammad and his followers made fasting during this month one of the Five Pillars of Islam around the time they migrated to Medina. Ramadan today is a time for Muslims to draw closer to God through prayer, gratitude, and communal solidarity.
I took a photo of the table above at the Korzinka Supermarket. Ramazan muborak means “blessed Ramadan” in Uzbek and it is accompanied by the Uzbek phrase Og’iz ochish vaqti that awkwardly translates to “mouth opening time” in English. Yesterday Muslims broke the fast at 18:08 as noted on the table as well. Religious observations were banned during the Soviet Era (1924-1991) and Uzbeks are slowly regaining religiousosity. I would estimate probably around half of the eligible population is fasting and it might be a bit less in my circle of cosmopolitan Uzbeks.
It was a cold but sunny day yesterday with temperatures getting closer to monthly averages. Evenings and mornings can dip to 4C (39F) and highs in the sunshine in late afternoon rise to 16C (61F). Nadia joined me for a bicycle ride along the canals. The swimming pool at her gym is closed this month for repairs.
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