Jordan is a Muslim country, not just as a population, but also a large influence on their legal and governmental systems. About 98% of the country's citizens are Muslim, with the majority of those being Sunni Muslims (one of the two major sects of Islam). Additionally, the King of Jordan, King Abdullah II, is a 41st generation direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Because, unlike the U.S., Jordan has a state religion, Islamic holidays and traditions are not only celebrated, but are built into the societal system of the country.
The holiday of Ramadan is a full month celebration, which is known for its community building. Observant Muslims celebrate by fasting (not eating or drinking) from sunrise to sunset each day. Some wake up very early to have breakfast in the dark hours. For some families in Jordan, suhoor (breakfast) is eaten at 4:30am and consists of a nutritious, but often lighter breakfast considering how early it is in the morning. For other families, they don’t wake up for suhoor, rather they stay up until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. to have food before going to sleep for the night.
