The Muslim holy month of Ramadan has just begun, and in honor of the event the National Library of Israel launched the “Ramadan Online” platform that’s offering multiple events and programming focused on Islamic culture and Ramadan-related content.

Available in Arabic and Hebrew, the platform includes rare manuscript exhibitions, Arab music playlists, lectures, workshops, quizzes and games.

Resources on Ramadan and updates on English-language events also are available.

Celebrated this year between April 1 and May 1, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and marks the revelation of the Quran. Muslims all around the world observe it with charity, fasts, prayers, family visits and festive meals.

In recent years, Ramadan celebrations have also served as a gateway for coexistence and educational programs where Arab and Jewish Israelis get together for joint activities.

This weekend, for example, the Shared Paths organization will run Hebrew-language Ramadan tours and meals in the Arab towns of Kafr Qasim, Tira and Sakhnin. An interfaith prayer service and iftar meal in Jerusalem will be led by the Interfaith Encounter Association and the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development.

Since the National Library of Israel began its online Ramadan programming in 2020, tens of thousands of people from across the world have participated. Last year, the National Library’s Arabic-language website received more than 2 million visits from 1.5 million users worldwide – a 125 percent increase compared to the year before.

The library features an extensive Islam and Middle East collection, including thousands of manuscripts and rare books in Arabic, Persian and Turkish dating from the ninth to 20th centuries.

Materials now showcased online in honor of Ramadan include manuscripts on fasting from Qurans dating back to the Middle Ages, contemporary Arabic and Ramadan music and photo galleries of prayers in Jerusalem throughout the years.

“We look forward to continuing the National Library’s tradition of presenting engaging and enriching content online to local and global audiences in celebration of Ramadan,” says Samuel Thrope, curator of the library’s Islam and Middle East collection.

Here is the Ramadan-inspired playlist uploaded by the library to help you get into a celebratory mood. Ramadan Kareem!