Ramadan in the largely desert country of Turkmenistan is a different thing altogether. After living for decades under Communism, when they were not allowed to practice Islam, many Muslims in Turkmenistan and other countries of the former Soviet Bloc did not celebrate Islamic occasions freely.

"In general, the Muslims in Turkmenistan are not too religious, but they are still happy when Ramadan comes around," says Jehan, a 21-year-old university student from Turkmenistan.

"Keep in mind; we went through decades in which we were not even allowed to speak our own language. Only now is some of our Islamic culture returning, including Ramadan," she said. "Now, I am learning more about my Muslim identity and have learned a lot from my grandmother, who used to fast and perform her prayers in secret."

The Muslims in Turkmenistan comprise an 87 percent majority and many of them fast and live the month as if it were their last. They celebrate the "Gadyrgijesi," or the Night of Nights, the night in which the Noble Quran was sent down. In Ramadan 2001, in response to the requests of local Muslim elders, 'Eed Al-Fitr was declared a day off.

The Iftaar in Turkmenistan usually consists of herb-filled pastries and cornmeal pancakes, porridges with beans or pumpkin, or rice pilaf with dried fruit. There is no abundance of restaurants, so the food will be bought in the markets or cooked at home. Ramadan in Turkmenistan is yet a quiet fun-time, and is spent focusing on family affairs and remembrance of Allah.