Ramadan

Just like in the southeast United States where it’s almost impossible to drive anywhere without seeing a Christian church, here it is almost impossible to drive anywhere without seeing a mosque and minaret. Ramadan (or Ramazan) is a Muslim holiday that is being celebrated here in Macedonia and all around the world at this time. Ramadan is from August 22nd until September 20th. The Muslim world will be fasting and praying during these days. Macedonia has the 4th largest Muslim population in Europe, which makes up 30% of the population. Only the European countries of Kosovo, Albania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina have more Muslims. It is estimated that there are 600,000 Muslims in this small country of Macedonia. The majority of the Roma people living in Macedonia claim to be Muslim. Their ancestors adopted Islam after the Ottoman Empire (Turks) conquered the Balkans.