Ramadan: What is Ramadan?

The holy month of Ramadan is a very important time in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims all over the world take part.

It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10-12 days earlier each year.

Read on to find out more about what Muslims traditionally do during this month, and why it is so important to them.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won't eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.

Fasting is important during Ramadan as it Muslims believe it allows to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives.

The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.

Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help.

It is common to have a meal (known as the suhoor) just before dawn and another (known as the iftar) directly after sunset.

At the end of the fast - when the sun has gone down - families and friends will get together for iftar to break their fast, often starting with water and dates.

Many Muslims may also go to their local mosque to pray with their community.

In 2024 it is expected that Ramadan will begin on the evening of Sunday 10 March, with the first day of fasting on Monday 11 March.

Ramadan falls during this month because this is when the holy book that's followed by Muslims, called the Qur'an, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the date changes each year.

This is because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the Moon), so it isn't a fixed date in the Western/solar calendar.

Not everybody fasts during Ramadan - only those who are considered fit and healthy enough choose to fast.

Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are ill, or who are travelling, don't have to.

There is a special festival to mark the end of Ramadan. This is called Eid al-Fitr - the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.

It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.

Muslims will not only celebrate the end of fasting, but will also thank Allah for the help and strength that they were given throughout the previous month.

Often children are given presents and new clothes.

In the UK, people often hold their own iftar, where they invite friends and family and people from the local community to break fast together at their homes.

Mosques and community will also host iftar so people can eat and pray together.

Ramadan Mubraka is a way of wishing someone well during the holy month.

It translates to "Blessed Ramadan".

You could also say "Ramadan Kareem" which means "Generous Ramadan".