"Atyab at-tihani bi-munasabat hulul shahru Ramadan al-Mubarak" (The most precious congratulations on the occasion of the coming of Ramadan) - Arabic

"Elveda, ey Ramazan" (Farewell, O Ramadan) - Turkish

"Kullu am wa antum bi-khair" (May you be well throughout the year) - Arabic

"'Eid mubarak (A Blessed 'Eid)" - universal

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month in which the prophet Mohammed received the first revelation of the Koran from Allah.

The Islamic calendar is based on the moon, instead of on the sun as the Western calendar is. The exact beginning of Ramadan therefore varies, and it may be either 29 or 30 days.

During Ramadan, faithful Muslims fast from dawn to sundown, pray and reflect, examine their conscience and rededicate themselves to purity, and celebrate peace and community with both social occasions and extra charity.

In 2001, Ramadan began on November 16. Eid ul-Fitr, the three-day "Feast of Fast Breaking" (with gifts) began December 16.