When is Ramadan this year? What to know about the Muslim holy month

MIRROR

Ramadan is a special time of year when Muslims worldwide focus on spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Lasting 29 to 30 days, it is regarded to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam – but its ‘start date’ changes each year as the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, not the Gregorian calendar.

This year, it is predicted that Ramadan will be observed from the evening of Wednesday, March 22 until the evening of Friday, April 21, when a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community will be carried out, but an official confirmation won’t come for a while yet.

Ramadan ends either after sighting the new crescent moon that indicates the arrival of the 10th month or after Ramadan’s 30th day – in the Isalamic calendar, each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days.

In the past, this was done by the naked eye, but in recent years, telescopes and technology have been used – and people eagerly await finding out when Eid (one of the biggest celebrations in the Muslim calendar) will take place.

A statement from The Muslim Council of Britain’s Guide to Ramadan reads: “The month of Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year as it is when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours, meaning they abstain from eating, drinking or engaging in sexual relations for the duration of their fast.”

However, not all Muslims have to take part in the fast to show their devotion, as young children, the old, the sick, travellers and women who are breastfeeding or menstruating are exempt.