Ramadan a Month of Fasting

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12-month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the new moon. 

Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset each day, perform meaningful rituals that illuminate their faith, exercise humility, and engage in self-reflection. Muslims consume extra time reading the Qur’an. In Islam pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people & children, are exempt from fasting.

 In the seventh century, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that Islam is built upon five pillars and that fasting in Ramadan was one of them. Today, nearly a quarter of the world’s population marks or observes the fast during daylight hours, giving great respect to the Islamic month in which the holy book of Islam, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet.

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, a fast of between 11-16 hours depending on the time of year for 29-30 days. At the end of Ramadan Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr. 

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, meaning ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’, is the important celebration that follows the month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr does not begin until the sighting of the moon, which is expected to take place before or on 9 April. It is a time of joy, a time of sharing smiles, giving gifts to children and spending time with loved ones. Before the end of Ramadan and the special Eid al-Fitr prayer, all Muslims are required to make Zakat al-Fitr, a compulsory donation traditionally comprising a staple food item. Zakat-al-Fitr aims to help the less fortunate enjoy the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.