What is Ramadan and Why is it Important?

As the multi-cultural United Kingdom continues to expand its wings in spite of difficulties and obstacles, we can now find ourselves learning about other religions and ways of life.

It can look particularly strange when we have lived a specific way for centuries, and there might be many questions you would like to ask your neighbours, but do not know where to begin.

Ramadan is an important annual holiday celebrated by Muslims all around the world for a month, and if you would like to know more about this holiday and why it is important to those who practice it – then read on!

What Does Ramadan Involve?

Ramadan is essentially a month-long fast where Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset – this often includes water! However, the vulnerable such as the elderly, sick, or children, do not have to fast. But why fasting? This fasting is nothing to do with weight loss, health benefits, or anything else you might associate with the buzzword right now. This fast is primarily so they can spend time devoting themselves to their faith and, in turn, come closer to God – Allah. It is also a means of allowing them to teach themselves patience and how to break bad habits!

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and these pillars are a guide to how Muslims live their lives; and the other pillars that make up the complete system are prayer, faith, charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. However, the latter has been particularly difficult last year and will be this year too because of the pandemic and its current restrictions.

Why is Ramadan Important?

Ramadan is not only a time for connecting to God, but it is also a time Muslims will spend time with their loved ones and dedicate their time to doing good deeds, reaching out to those who need help, and supporting their community. If you would like to support them to do this in a pandemic, please consider donating to a ramadan charity appeal.

This specific practice falls on the 9^th month of the Islamic calendar each year, but the date will change based on the Lunar calendar. Muslims believe that they can use this month as a time for self-reflection, gratitude, and spiritual reflection. They also believe that it strengthens their self-discipline and control but also strengthens their empathy for those who are less fortunate. They will then dedicate this time under one of the pillars, charity, to conduct acts of generosity and look to help those who need it.

What Happens at the End of Ramadan?

When Ramadan ends, it is customary for all Muslims to celebrate breaking the fast with their loved ones with a festival – Eid al-Fitr, also known as ‘Eid’. This only begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.

During the festival, they will thank Allah for the strength, support, and help of the previous month, spend time with their friends and family, and also give out presents!