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Muslims around the world observe the sacred month of Ramadan every year, a period of deep spiritual reflection and fasting.
The festival begins with the sighting of the growing moon, which usually appears one night after a new moon. In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin the night of Friday, February 28, and will conclude on Sunday night March 30.
One of the five pillars of Islam, along with faith, prayer, charity and pilgrimage, Ramadan commemorates the Qur'an who first reveals the prophet Muhammad, a sacred moment honest with abstinence between dawn and sunset.
The month of Ramadan sees Muslims around the world fasting and praying, before breaking their fast at dusk with family and friends.
Here is a look at what the ritual for Muslims means, why the faithful fast and why the date alters from one year to another.
What is Ramadan?
Chapter 2, verse 185 of the Koran explains the purpose of the ritual: “The month of Ramadan is what the Qur'an was revealed; A guide for humanity, and clear evidence of the guide, and the criterion (of the right and the incorrect).
“And whoever is present, let it fast the month, and whoever is sick or on a trip, other days.
“Allah wants its ease; He doesn't want difficulty for you; And that you must complete the period, and that you must magnify Allah for guiding you, and maybe you are grateful. “
It is said that Allah's word was revealed to the prophet in “Laylat al-Qadr” (the night of power).
The tablets of Ibrahim, La Torah, the Psalm, the Gospel and the Qur'an were sent on days 1, 6, 12, 13 and 24 of Ramadan, according to faith.
There are some ways to greet someone who celebrates Ramadan this year. A family saying for many Muslims around the world is 'Ramadan Mubarak' that simply means 'Blessed Ramadan'. Another commonly used term is 'Ramadan Kareem', which translates as 'generous Ramadan', both terms are from Arab origins.
When is Ramadan?
In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin as of Friday, February 28, and will conclude on Sunday night March 30, which means that Eid Al-Fitr is likely to fall on Monday, March 31.
Why does the date vary every year?
The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means that every month begins with a new astronomical moon. As the lunar months are shorter than solar energy, the Islamic calendar does not correspond to the Gregorian calendar followed in the West, so it means that Ramadan occurs around 10 days before each year.
The period takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic year. Its precise date also varies from one country to another in approximately one day, depending on when the moon is seen.
The followers of the faith are encouraged to verify the precise times of the dawn and the sunset with their local mosques to ensure that fasting does not break unnoticly prematurely.
Why do Muslims fast?
Ramadan is a sacred month dedicated to prayer and reading of the Quran. Generosity is encouraged and given to decent causes and neighbors.
It is a period of reflection, self -control and warmth destined to bring Muslims closer to Allah, hence the abstention of earthly distractions such as food and water, cigarettes and sexual activity during the hours of the day. A modest meal is taken before dawn known as “Suhoor” and after dusk known as “Iftar”, but nothing is consumed in the middle, not even water.
Fasting during Ramadan is a requirement for all Muslims from an early age, in some cases from 10.
Those who are too sick to help be exempt if participating would mean jeopardizing their health, like the elderly, those who suffer from a mental illness, those who travel and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
EID AL-FIT is the “Festival of the Rupture of Fasting” and marks the end of Ramadan every year.
Muslims want a happy eid during the celebrations saying “Eid Mubarak” and meeting with family and friends to delight and overshadow together.
The festival, which can last up to three days, also sees people donating charity as part of the celebrations.
