Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, begins this year at sundown on Sunday, 10 March, and will end with Eid al-Fitr on Monday, 8 April. The most important month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a period of reflection and devotion.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam; the other four pillars on which it is based are faith (shahadah), prayer (salah), almsgiving (zakah) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). For those who profess it, during this period more time is devoted to prayer and loved ones.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the date changes each year. This is because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the Moon), so it isn’t a fixed date in the Western/solar calendar. Muslims believe that some of the earliest verses of the Islamic holy book, the Quran, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. Special emphasis is placed on reciting the Quran at this time.
The exact starting day of Ramadan is officially announced at the time the crescent moon of the ninth month (of the traditional Islamic calendar) appears. Ramadan lasts about 30 days, until the sighting of the next crescent moon, before closing the period with Eid al-Fitr when the fast is broken with a feast.
Although there are some differences in the way each country celebrates Ramadan, fasting between sunrise and sunset, regular prayer, and acts of charity and humility are encouraged, all in an atmosphere of empathy and generosity to those less fortunate. Charity is a very important practice in Islam.
Fasting should only be done by people in good health. The following exceptions are accepted:
- Those who are ill or sick whose health will be affected by fasting.
- Children, although some may begin fasting at an early age.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Travelers.
During Ramadan, several Muslims will hold food drives or fundraisers to help the less fortunate. Others will perform an extra prayer at night, called taraweeh, during the holly month. They will also celebrate Laylat al-Qadr later in the month, which is the day many believe the Quran was first revealed.
When the sun sets on a fast day, it is time to eat and socialize. One of the best ways to celebrate this prosperous month is to enjoy a delicious feast with friends for iftar (meal after sunset) or suhoor (before sunrise). The usual foods at suhoor, before sunrise, are fruit, sweetened cereals, yogurt and custard. Meanwhile, at iftar, which is served at sunset, are rice dishes and grilled meat abound to replenish the strength after a long day of fasting. Non-Muslims may wish Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak,” which means “have a blessed Ramadan.”
