Qurban Hait

It is the Muslims' holiday. It comes after the month of Ramadan.

We have that month twice a year: in autumn and at the end of winter. That month we have meals only in Saharlik (it means very early) and we don't eat and drink until Iftorlik (it means we open our mouth). If we keep this rite it means we keep Ruza.

On Arafa (a day before Qurban Hait) we give Polov (our tasty national food) to our neighbors and so do they. After that we have the holiday called Qurban Hait. That day we give alms to poor families and money to kids. That day we remember our dead relatives and visit their tombs in memory. It is a very old holiday like Navruz.

Here are more details about Ramadan and Id-ul-Fitr :

Ramadan is one of the months in the Muslim calendar. Each new month begins with the new moon. Id-ul-Fitr is the festival at the end of Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan we can’t eat or drink during the day. This is called fasting. We have to wait until the evening to eat. At sunset, first we have a snack and later we have a main meal. During the feast of Ramadan, people eat only from ceramic plates, using new crockery for each holiday. These pieces, and the clay from which they are made, are considered holy, or Halol, among the people of Uzbekistan.

All eating must finish before the sun rises. While we are fasting we learn to be patient.
It’s very difficult not to eat or drink during the day. Not all Muslims have to fast during Ramadan. Very old people don’t fast and children don’t have to fast until they are twelve years old. People who are on a journey can eat while they are travelling. Women don’t fast while they are expecting a baby. Ill people don’t fast but they must fast when they are healthy again. While we are fasting we pray more then usual and read the Koran more.

Id-ul-Fitr is the festival at the end of Ramadan. It begins on the first day of the next months. Before Id-ul-Fitr we give money to the poor, so that everyone will be able to celebrate the festival. On the night efore Id, we often don’t go to bed. We stay up all night and wait until the new moon appears. When we can see the new moon the festival begins. At Id we visit our friends and have parties. We give presents and cards and eat special cakes and sweets.