Ramadan

Ramadan (also spelled Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar year, based on the cycle of the moon. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

Because the lunar year is approximately ten days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan advances by about ten days each year in the Gregorian calendar. Consequently, the month occurs at different seasons—some years during long days and others during short days.

Start and end of the month

The beginning of Ramadan is determined by sighting the new moon. Different countries and religious authorities use different methods: some rely on direct visual observation, others on astronomical calculation. For this reason, the start and end dates may vary by one or two days between countries. Ramadan is followed by Shawwal, whose first day marks Eid al-Fitr.

Fasting and its requirements

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It requires abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations between dawn and sunset. The pre-dawn meal is called suhur, and the meal after sunset is called iftar. Certain people are exempt from fasting, including the sick, travelers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children who have not reached maturity; these individuals are typically required either to fast on other days later or to provide food to the poor.

Worship and custom

During this month, there is increased Quranic recitation, charitable giving, and taraweeh prayers performed at night in mosques. The night of Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) is also observed, believed to fall within the last ten nights of the month, particularly on the odd-numbered nights. Ramadan affects work schedules, market hours, and daily life in many Muslim-majority countries.