About Ramadan
WHAT IS RAMADAN?
The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate when the Qur'an was first revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).
WHAT HAPPENS DURING RAMADAN?
During this month, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn until sunset and instead renew their focus on worship, devotion, and spiritual reflection. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.
RAMADAN ETIQUETTE
It’s important for everyone to dress and behave appropriately during the holy month. Make sure that clothes are modest, covering shoulders, chest and knees. Keep music levels down to a minimum when you’re driving and, of course, no public displays of affection.
WHY DO MUSLIMS FAST?
Fasting, or sawn, loosely translates as ‘to refrain’. So during Ramadan Muslims commit to not eating, drinking, smoking or even chewing gum during daylight hours. But sawn isn’t just about physical restraint, it also refers to bad thoughts, actions and words.
Many people assume that Ramadan is about deprivation, but in Islam it’s often a time to spend with family, breaking fast at sunset over iftar. The fast itself is intended to help Muslims learn about self-discipline and restraint, and enable them to empathise with those who have less.
RAMADAN GLOSSARY
- Iftar: The meal at sunset when Muslims break their daytime fast.
- Suhoor: Technically the meal before sunrise before Muslims start fasting. Much more laid back than iftar, suhoor often starts late at night and runs into the early hours of the morning.
- Hilal: The thin crescent moon marking the beginning of a new month in the Islamic calendar, which is used to predict the start of Ramadan.
- Sunnah: The teachings and practices of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Eating dates to brake fast, for example, is a sunnah.
