By - Abibe Aliu

Ramadan is a holiday that lasts a month and is celebrated by Muslims around the world. It is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan is celebrated on a different day each year. This year it begins at sundown on Sunday, March 10, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 9. During Ramadan Muslims fast from before sunrise to sundown. This means that they can’t eat, drink, or chew gum for the whole day. In the U.S. Ramadan is not in the Establishment Clause, therefore is not a national holiday. People argue about this and think that Ramadan should be a national holiday. 

Ramadan began in 622 A.D. It all started with Prophet Muhammad, who is known as The Messenger of God, and his followers. In Mecca everyone practiced a different religion and they believed that there are many different gods. Muhammad believed that there is only one god, Allah. He wished that everyone would believe the same way. He couldn’t read or write. An angel, Gabriel, taught him how to read and write. Many people didn’t like him because of what he believed and no one believed him about the angel. However, some people did. After he and his followers (the people who agreed with him) faced fierce persecution in Mecca they tried to spread out the words of Allah. It was very difficult but he managed to succeed, therefore creating the Muslim religion and creating Ramadan. It is said that Muhammad ate dates to break his fast. There are no pictures, sculptures, or paintings of Muhammad. No one knows what he looks like. This is because he wanted people to pray to god and not to him. There is a whole movie based on this called “The Message” which is translated in many languages. The movie respects the Muslim religion and the character of Muhammad is not shown or heard.

Fasting on Ramadan is one of the fundamental tenets called the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims eat early in the morning before they pray, suhoor, and after sunset, iftar. Between the day they fast. The new moon marks the end of Ramadan and there is a three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr, or Festival of Fast Breaking. Fasting reminds Muslims to appreciate the blessings and to help those that are in need. Fasting also helps understand what those who don’t have much feel. Sadaqah, which means good deeds, is very important to the holy month. People donate food, clothing, money, and time. People also pick up trash, help the elderly, or plant a tree to show their generosity. In Islam texts it says, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

By Abibe Aliu

Albanian Independence Day, also known as Albanian Flag Day, is the day Albania got its freedom from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. On November 28th, 1912 delegates from all over Albania met in Vlorë. Their leader Ismail Qemal announced Albania as an independent state. Albanian Flag Day is also celebrated in Kosovo and North Macedonia. Albanians in the U.S. and the rest of the world celebrate Albanian Flag Day.

The Ottoman Empire ruled most of present-day Albania during the 15th century. The Ottoman Empire expanded into Southeast Europe and invaded/ruled many nearby kingdoms. Skanderbeg is known as an Albanian hero. This is because he took a stand against the Ottoman Empire. He had military campaigns defending Albania against the Ottoman Empire. People say that his stand prevented further expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire gained control of Albania once again in 1479 after Skanderbeg died on January 17th, 1468. Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire before the beginning of World War 1. Albania joined uprisings against the Ottoman Empire. The empire was weakened in the Balkan Wars in which they were defeated.  Ismail Qemal then declared Albania’s independence in 1912. Albania requested the London Conference for international recognition, including Kosovo, Western Macedonia including Shkupi and Manastiri, and the entire territory of Epirus to Arta. The Treaty of Bucharest was signed in August of 1913 when this newly independent state was accepted.

In Albania, there are many traditions that people do to celebrate Albanian Independence Day. For example, in Tirana, which is in Albania, there is a parade. There is also a parade in Chicago celebrating Albanian Independence Day. In Tirana, there are concerts with famous Albanian singers and dancers. There are festivals that people go to. There are also concerts and festivals here in the U.S. celebrating Albanian Flag Day. They show up at these festivals wearing traditional clothing or wearing red and black which are the colors of the flag. People also wear the distinguishable Plis, which is a white wool hat. Albanians display the national flag on their balconies and laws. 

The red symbolizes courage and the eagle represents Albania.