Ramadan Mubarak! Muslims across the globe are today marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
This year, Ramadan begins on Saturday, April 2, and lasts up until May 1. The dates are based on the ever-changing lunar calendar.
During this time, Muslims observe a period of fasting and refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Those observing the tradition will wake up before sunrise so that they can pray, eat and drink to fuel their bodies ahead of the day.
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Muslims believe that the physical ritual of fasting allows them to understand the suffering of others and is also a way of increasing their closeness to God. People are encouraged to engage in charity and devote extra time to spiritual activities such as praying and reading the Koran.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, usually lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar, but the dates change each year. To mark the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with a feast, known as Eid ul-Fitr.
How to wish someone a 'Happy Ramadan'
To wish someone a Happy Ramadan, the greeting most commonly used is 'Ramadan Mubarak'. This translates to 'Blessed Ramadan'. Another commonly used greeting is 'Ramadan Kareem', which translates to 'Generous Ramadan'.
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic word ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ which means scorching heat or dryness. It normally falls in a hot time of year.
You can find out more about some of the words and phrases you might hear during Ramadan here.
Why Muslims fast during Ramadan
Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam - a set of core beliefs and practices in Islam that are considered essential for any practising Muslim. Fasting during Ramadan is also considered obligatory for all healthy Muslim men, women and children who have reached puberty.
In Islam, fasting during Ramadan is considered an act of worship in itself and holds great spiritual significance. It helps Muslims to remind themselves that God is the source of all sustenance while sparing extra attention to the poor and those less fortunate.
Find out more about why Muslims fast during Ramadan here.
When to fast
Traditionally the beginning and end of fasting is marked by two of the five daily prayers - Fajr at dawk and Maghrib at dusk. According to Didsbury Mosque in Manchester, Fajr begins at 5.10am on Saturday which will mark the beginning of the fasting period. Then, later on in the evening, Maghrib will begin at 7.48pm, marking the ending of the fasting period for the first day.
For a full list of fasting times for Ramadan in 2022, click here.
When does Ramadan end?
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr - the celebration of breaking fast. The day starts with a morning prayer at a mosque and is then followed by family and friends coming together to eat.
Eid al-Fitr typically lasts around three days and sees families partake in their own traditions, which may include things like buying new clothes or exchanging presents.
There is a second Eid, called Eid al-Adha, which is also known as the “festival of sacrifice”. This is celebrated around two months later at the same time when many Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
