Ramadan glossary

Eid Al Fitr: Fast breaking festival on the first of Shawwal, the first day after Ramadan. Hadith: A tradition or collection of the traditions of Prophet Mohammed (PNUH), the prophet of Islam, including his sayings and deeds.

Haj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Hilal: Originally halla, meaning to appear, to show, as in a new moon. Hilal is the crescent, indicating the beginning of a new moon. Sighting of a new moon is the prerequisite to beginning the fast.

Laylat Al Qadr: 'The Night of Power', the night on which the holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and which the Quran itself describes as 'better than a thousand months'.

Mecca: Capital city of the Hejaz, Saudi Arabia. The birth places of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). It is the holiest city of Islam and the destination of the annual Muslim haj. Mubarak: Blessed, as in Ramadan Mubarak, the greeting exchanged during Ramadan. Sawm: The Arabic word for fast.

Zakaat: The giving of alms, the third pillar of Al - Islam.