Ramadan Start in Croatia

Date and Observance: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The start date varies each year due to the lunar calendar but typically falls 11 days earlier than the previous year. In Croatia, where the Muslim community is a minority, Ramadan begins in accordance with the sighting of the moon, often following announcements from nearby majority-Muslim countries or local Islamic authorities.

History: Islam has been present in what is now known as Croatia since at least the 15th century when the Ottoman Empire expanded into the Balkans. However, its presence waxed and waned with historical changes in the region. Today's Muslim community in Croatia largely consists of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) who settled during various periods over centuries.

Traditions: The beginning of Ramadan is marked by a special nighttime prayer called 'Tarawih,' which takes place after the last daily prayer ('Isha'). Croatian Muslims, like their co-religionists around the world, engage in fasting from dawn to sunset. This fast includes abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations during daylight hours.

Activities on Ramadan Start Day:

• Suhoor: Before dawn breaks, families wake up for 'suhoor,' a pre-fasting meal that helps sustain them through daylight hours.
• Fajr Prayer: After suhoor, Muslims perform their first daily prayer ('Fajr').
• Intention: Individuals mentally or orally make their niyyah (intention) to fast for the day.
• Community Iftar: At sunset, families and communities gather for 'iftar,' the meal that breaks their fast. This often begins with eating dates and drinking water or milk following Prophet Muhammad's tradition.
• Tarawih Prayer: Many attend mosques for Tarawih prayers where they listen to recitations from the Quran.

Despite being a minority group in Croatia, Muslims carry out these practices within their communities with a strong sense of identity and faithfulness to religious traditions. Public recognition of Islamic holidays has grown over time as Croatian society becomes more diverse and inclusive.