What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be the holiest month in Islam.

It is a time of fasting, prayer, community and reflection observed by Muslims around the world. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs.

Ramadan is a commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation and the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Ramadan is an important part of the Muslim faith and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

During Ramadan, it is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating to engage in fasting from dawn to sunset.

During the hours of fasting, Muslims abstain from food, drinks, tobacco products, sexual relations, and sinful behaviour.