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| What is Ramadan, how long does it last and why do Muslims fast? | What is Ramadan, how long does it last and why do Muslims fast? |
| (8 days later) | |
| Millions of Muslims in the UK and around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan. | Millions of Muslims in the UK and around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan. |
| It is a month of fasting, reflection, community and family time. | It is a month of fasting, reflection, community and family time. |
| What is Ramadan? | What is Ramadan? |
| Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It has a special significance in Islam. | Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It has a special significance in Islam. |
| It is during this month that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran - Islam's holy book - were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. | It is during this month that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran - Islam's holy book - were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. |
| During this period, Muslims are required to fast and to give to charity, to show kindness and patience and to strengthen their relationship with God. | |
| Extra emphasis is placed on reciting the Quran. | Extra emphasis is placed on reciting the Quran. |
| Why do Muslims fast? | Why do Muslims fast? |
| Fasting Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which lay the basis for how Muslims are required to live their lives. | |
| The other pillars are the profession of faith, prayer five times a day, zakat - a form of charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca once in their lifetime. | The other pillars are the profession of faith, prayer five times a day, zakat - a form of charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca once in their lifetime. |
| Fasting during Ramadan is meant to encourage spiritual reflection. | Fasting during Ramadan is meant to encourage spiritual reflection. |
| Muslims have an early morning meal before dawn, known as suhoor or sehri. | Muslims have an early morning meal before dawn, known as suhoor or sehri. |
| Ramadan: What's it like fasting for the first time? | Ramadan: What's it like fasting for the first time? |
| Ramadan: What's it like fasting for the first time? | Ramadan: What's it like fasting for the first time? |
| During the day, they are not supposed to eat or drink anything - including water - until after sunset, when they break their fast with an evening meal, called iftar or fitoor. | During the day, they are not supposed to eat or drink anything - including water - until after sunset, when they break their fast with an evening meal, called iftar or fitoor. |
| Some Muslims are however exempt from fasting. They include children who have not reached puberty, pregnant or breastfeeding women, menstruating women, those who are ill or whose health could be affected by fasting and those who are travelling. | Some Muslims are however exempt from fasting. They include children who have not reached puberty, pregnant or breastfeeding women, menstruating women, those who are ill or whose health could be affected by fasting and those who are travelling. |
| What do you say at the start of Ramadan? | What do you say at the start of Ramadan? |
| If you want to wish someone a good start of Ramadan, it is customary to say "Ramadan Mubarak", which means "Blessed Ramadan". | If you want to wish someone a good start of Ramadan, it is customary to say "Ramadan Mubarak", which means "Blessed Ramadan". |
| You can also say "Ramadan Kareem", which translates as "Generous Ramadan". | You can also say "Ramadan Kareem", which translates as "Generous Ramadan". |
| How long does Ramadan last? | How long does Ramadan last? |
| The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle. | The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle. |
| Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days. | Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days. |
| In 2024, Ramadan is expected to last 30 days, with fasting starting on Monday 11 March and predicted to end on Tuesday April 9. | In 2024, Ramadan is expected to last 30 days, with fasting starting on Monday 11 March and predicted to end on Tuesday April 9. |
| What are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha? | What are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha? |
| Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two main festivals in the Islamic calendar. | Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two main festivals in the Islamic calendar. |
| Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to be celebrated on April 10 this year. | Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to be celebrated on April 10 this year. |
| Like Ramadan, it starts with the first sighting of the new moon. | Like Ramadan, it starts with the first sighting of the new moon. |
| Buying pastries in Marrakesh, in Morocco, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr | Buying pastries in Marrakesh, in Morocco, to celebrate Eid al-Fitr |
| Eid al-Adha is celebrated just over two months after Eid al-Fitr and lasts for four days | Eid al-Adha is celebrated just over two months after Eid al-Fitr and lasts for four days |
| It coincides with the later part of the Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Mecca - and this year is expected to fall around 16 to 20 June. | It coincides with the later part of the Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Mecca - and this year is expected to fall around 16 to 20 June. |
| Eid al-Adha means "feast of the sacrifice" and it commemorates prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on God's orders. | Eid al-Adha means "feast of the sacrifice" and it commemorates prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on God's orders. |
| What happens at Eid? | What happens at Eid? |
| During both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, many Muslims attend prayers at their mosque in the morning. | During both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, many Muslims attend prayers at their mosque in the morning. |
| Before Eid prayers, Muslims are required to make a donation to a charity to help feed the poor. | Before Eid prayers, Muslims are required to make a donation to a charity to help feed the poor. |
| Both Eid days are moments of great celebration, with families and friends coming together and sharing large meals. It is also common for children to receive either money or small gifts from their elders. | Both Eid days are moments of great celebration, with families and friends coming together and sharing large meals. It is also common for children to receive either money or small gifts from their elders. |
| To wish someone well at Eid, you can say "Eid Mubarak", which means "Blessed Eid". | To wish someone well at Eid, you can say "Eid Mubarak", which means "Blessed Eid". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Eid al-Fitr | Eid al-Fitr |
| Eid al-Adha | Eid al-Adha |
| Ramadan | Ramadan |
| Religion | Religion |
| Islam | Islam |