Nearly a quarter of the world’s population, including hundreds of thousands of people in Australia, is preparing to observe Ramadan.
The holy month signals a sacred period of fasting and worship — Muslims will abstain from eating and drinking from when the sun rises until it sets, and pray and donate to charity.
Here’s what you need to know about Ramadan:
What is Ramadan?
It’s the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the start and end dates change every year as the Islamic Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon.
It celebrates the revelation of the first verses of Islam’s holy book, the Quran, to the Prophet Mohammed.
What are the rules of Ramadan?
Fasting — known as Sawm in Arabic — is one of the five pillars of Islam, and a part of Ramadan. This means those observing Ramadan will not eat or drink, including water, from dawn until sunset wherever they are.
A pre-dawn meal called suhoor is eaten before the fast’s commencing prayer Fajr, the dawn prayer.
Suhoor is essential in providing nourishment during the daily fast.
Following the sunset, or Maghrib, prayer, Muslims eat a meal called iftar to break the daily fast.
Traditionally, the fast is initially broken with dates and water, followed by a larger, communal meal that brings friends and family together to celebrate the day’s fast.
Not all Muslims fast each Ramadan.
Children and the elderly are among those exempt from fasting, including people who are sick, travelling or subject to other valid reasons such as menstruation and pregnancy.
Compensation for a missed fast can be made through substituting fasting days or charitable acts.
When does Ramadan start?
The start of Ramadan is marked by sighting the crescent of a new moon.
This year, the Grand Mufti of Australia Ibrahim Abu Mohammed said the first night of the holy month will be on Friday and Ramadan will begin on 1 March.
When does Ramadan end?
Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days.
Depending on the sighting of the moon, this year the month will end around or on March 30, culminating in Eid al-Fitr.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
The celebration Eid al-Fitr, Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr typically begins with a communal prayer, sermon and the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr, a donation for those in need.
The three-day festival is celebrated by:
– Sharing traditional feasts
– Exchanging gifts to children, the elderly and to those in need
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major religious holidays on the Muslim calendar,
How do you wish someone a happy Ramadan?
Wishing someone well during Ramadan is open to all even those not participating.
Here are some common greetings to share with friends and co-workers.
– Ramadan Kareem which means “generous Ramadan”
– Ramadan Mubarak which means “blessed Ramadan”.