Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is believed to be the month when God first began to reveal the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed.

Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was revealed as a guide for people... and whoever is there during that month should fast in it. (Koran 2:185)

The Ramadan timetable

During Ramadan, Muslims fast throughout the day, eating only at night. Most Moroccans observe the fast, and do not eat, drink, smoke or have sex from dawn (the first prayer of the day) to sunset (the fourth prayer).

During Ramadan, restaurants and cafés close during the day. Some bars close altogether. Places catering for tourists do serve food, but it is obviously rude and inconsiderate to wander round eating, drinking or smoking openly when most people are committed to fasting (which is particularly hard for smokers), so it is best to be discreet. In principle it is actually illegal to publicly disrespect the fast.