All About Ramadan, Islam's Holy Month

Ramazan is an important religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims all over the world. During this holy month, Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset in order to focus on their spiritual growth. The purpose of Ramazan is not only to practice self-discipline but also to remember those who are less fortunate than us by sharing with them what we have been blessed with. 

When is Ramadan ?

As part of the Islamic lunar calendar, the dates of Ramadan change according to the lunar cycle. In 2023, Ramadan begins on Thursday evening, March 23 and ends with sunset on Sunday, April 20. The celebration of the new crescent is the official start of Ramadan.

Fasting

The fast begins at dawn each day when a meal called suhoor is eaten before sunrise; then throughout the day no food or water may be consumed until sunset when another meal known as iftar marks its end for that particular day. This cycle continues throughout the entire month culminating in Eid al-Fitr which marks its completion after thirty days have passed since it began . During this period many mosques host special events such as lectures about Islam where people can learn more about their faith while socializing with others in attendance.

Ramadan Worship and Prayer

During Ramadan, prayer is an important element for much of the Muslim faithful. Muslims are encouraged to pray and attend a mosque for special services. Nightly prayers called tarawill are common, as is rereading the Quran over the course of the month, often in the form of an epic prayer. At the end of Ramadan, before the final fast is broken, Muslims also recite a prayer called the takbeer, which gives praise to Allah and acknowledges his supremacy.

Charity and Zakat

The practice of charity or zakat is another of Islam's five pillars. Muslims are encouraged to give regularly as part of their faith (zakat), or they may make a sadaqah, an additional charitable gift. During Ramadan, some Muslims choose to make particularly generous sadaqahs as a demonstration of their faithfulness.

Besides these physical practices, there are other aspects related to Ramadan such as charitable works and increased prayer times that help strengthen one's bond with God through acts of kindness towards others, regardless of religion or background. These activities bring communities closer together and remind everyone involved how powerful compassion truly is. After all, Ramadan goes beyond being an annual event; It reminds us that whatever the race, ethnicity or belief system, the common values ​​of humanity must always come before individual differences.