Do you know what Ramadan is?

The start of Ramadan fluctuates each year because the Islamic lunar calendar follows the phases of the moon. The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by a moon-observing committee in Saudi Arabia. It begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon, which can be tricky as it is quite faint and visible for only about 20 minutes. If the moon is not visible to the naked eye due to fog or clouds, lunar calculations are used to predict whether it is in the sky.


Ramadan was also part of ancient Arabic calendars. The name Ramadan comes from the Arabic root "Ramada" (رمض), meaning scorching heat. Muslims believe that in 610 CE, the angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Muhammad (محمد) and revealed the Quran (القرآن), the Islamic holy book. This revelation, Laylat Al Qadar (Night of Power), is believed to have occurred during Ramadan. Muslims fast during this month to commemorate the revelation of the Quran.


During Ramadan, devout Muslims are expected to strive for spiritual growth and build stronger relationships with God. They do this by praying and reciting the Quran, performing intentional and selfless good deeds, and refraining from gossip, lying, and fighting.

Throughout the month, Muslims must also abstain from drinking alcohol and sexual relations between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims, except for the sick, pregnant, traveling, elderly, or menstruating. Missed days of fasting can be made up throughout the rest of the year, either all at once or one day here and there.


Meals are opportunities for Muslims to gather with others in the community and break their fast. Suhoor (السحور) is the pre-dawn breakfast, usually taking place around 4:00 a.m., hours before the first prayer of the day. Iftar (الإفطار) is the evening meal and can begin after the sunset prayer, typically around 7:30 p.m.


After the last day of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate its end with Eid al-Fitr, the "festival of breaking the fast," which begins with communal prayers at daybreak. During these three days of festivities, participants gather to pray, eat, exchange gifts, and pay respects to deceased relatives. Some cities also host carnivals and large prayer gatherings.