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About Ramadan
Ramadan is expected to begin on April 2, with Eid Al Fitr celebrations commencing on May 2. But what does it all mean? Here’s all you need to know
What is Ramadan? The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking or smoking between sunrise and sunset. Lasting about a month, it marks the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Extra tarawih prayers are performed at the mosque throughout Ramadan and each evening 1/30th of the holy book is recited. By the end of Ramadan, observers have read the entire Qur’an. Why is Ramadan so important to Muslims? Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, considered mandatory by believers. The pillars are the framework by which Muslims everywhere live, and Ramadan is considered the holiest time in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for prayer, reflection and 6 | RAMADAN GUIDE 2022
religious devotion, to cleanse past sins and to focus on Allah through good deeds. Why do Muslims fast? Fasting, or sawn, loosely translates as ‘to refrain’. So during Ramadan Muslims commit to not eating, drinking or smoking during daylight hours. But sawn isn’t just about physical restraint, it also refers to bad thoughts, actions and words. Ramadan is often a time to spend with family, breaking fast at sunset. The fast itself is intended to help Muslims learn about selfdiscipline and enable them to empathise with those who have less.
