What is Ramadan?
Ramadan marks the month when the Holy Quran is said to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH by Allah. This is observed by a month-long fast.
Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink for 30 days, including water, during daylight hours (from dawn to dusk), as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith.
Fasting at Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam – the fundamental rules that all Muslims follow.
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar which consists of 12 months in a year of 354/55 days. In Arabic, this is called the Hijri Calendar and started with the migration of Prophet Muhammed PBUH to Madinah from Makkah 1442 years ago.
Due to the Islamic Calendar being based on the different phases of the moon, each of the months moves back around 10 days each year. So, Ramadan could be in the middle of summer in 2015 and be in December by 2030! This year, Ramadan begins on Monday 12th April and will end on Wednesday 12th May.
If you do not observe the month of Ramadan, you can help Muslim family, friends, coursemates, and colleagues by:
- Trying not to schedule meetings around evening time (dusk) when the fast for the day ends, so they can eat on time.
- Additionally, don’t schedule catch-ups over lunch or dinner, as you will be the only one eating.
- Don’t make a big deal about eating.
- Show your encouragement with kind gestures and words.
- Ask them how you could support them through this month e.g., any adjustments that may need to be made. Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s best to ask individually.