What is Ramadan?

Ramadan this year began last night, Sunday 10th March and it is due to end on Tuesday 9th April. Every year it falls on different dates because Muslims use a lunar calendar, which means it is based on the cycles of the moon. Ramadan begins on the first sight of the new moon during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is a holy month for Muslims. It marks when the Muslim holy book called the Qur’an was first given to the prophet called Muhammad. It is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection.

Muslims will not eat or drink during daylight hours for the whole month of Ramadan. They will get up before sunrise to eat their first meal called Suhoor and then wait till after sunset when they will break their fast with a meal called Iftar. This meal will usually begin with eating dates and having a drink of water.

Children aren’t expected to do this until they are around the age of 14 but they are expected to be on their best behaviour during this month as it is supposed to be a time of self discipline, reflection, sacrifice and good deeds. The elderly, pregnant women and anyone that is ill is not expected to fast either. There is an extra prayer time for Muslims during Ramadan to observe, they will spend time reading the Qur’an and they go to special services at their mosque in the evenings during this month too.