Serbia's Muslims Celebrate Ramadan

Novi Pazar _ Muslims in Serbia's south-west Sandzak region began celebrating the holy month of Ramadan this week, starting from Monday.

In Novi Pazar, the largest town in the region, the smell of dough from countless pastry shops and bakeries fills the streets. Sandzak Muslims consider pita breads, or "little pita", as the round breads are known, as essential to the "iftar" or "sufur" meals, which they take before and after the daily fast.
   
Because these pitas can be bought in the area only during Ramadan, some people call them "ramadanis". Each day, before iftar, large numbers of people gather in front of bakeries waiting for the pitas, which are tastiest when warm.

During Ramadan, which lasts for 30 days, believers fasting from 4am until sunset, or 7.30pm, during which they time they are obliged to refrain from food, drink and sexual intercourse.

Pensioner Alija Mujovic said he had been fasting in Ramadan since childhood. "This month makes me happy, the air smells different. I feel better when I am fasting, I am somehow healthier," he said.

During the month-long feast, many Sandzak Muslim men spend the days playing cards and dominoes in coffee and tea shops, some of which work only during Ramadan. Bars are mostly empty or closed, because alcohol is forbidden.

Women devote the season to their families. Sabina Corovic uses her holiday to give herself wholely to the fast, family and religion. "During the day, I carefully prepare the iftar, in the evening I go to the mosque for evening prayers and then I receive guests or visit relatives," she said.

Local television stations adjust their programmes to Ramadan, organizing many religious and entertainment shows which last well into the night. After the Ramadan fast follows the three-day Ramadan Bairam, a great holiday in Islam, when believers return to their everyday lives.