It was during the month of Ramadan that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet. In Muslim lands people will come out of their houses and wait for the first sighting of the moon of Ramadan. During this month all Muslims over the age of 12 must fast from sunrise to sunset. They must also avoid smoking, abstain from sex and be pious in their demeanour. At the end of each day the fast is broken with a big meal called the 'Iftar' meal. Ideally this should commence with a glass of water and a date in honour of the Prophet who once began his Ramadan meal in this way. Throughout the month of Ramadan various other ceremonies occur.
