Ramadan & Eid
Ramadan draws to a close and Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated this Friday
Shahin Rahman, who works for Wirral Council as a Resettlement Support Officer/Social Care Advisor in Housing Services has written this article to help people understand more about Ramadan.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, known as “the holy month”, because it is the month in which the Holy Qu’ran, the religious book of Islam, was revealed onto the last Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). It is during this month that the Prophet Muhammad made his revolutionary migration from Mecca to Medina.
This year Ramadan starts on the evening of 22nd March 2023 until Friday 21st April 2023.
The exact dates of Ramadan change every year. This is because Islam uses the Lunar calendar, so that means that the first day of the month of Ramadan, moves backwards by about 11 days each year.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory to all Muslims as stated in the Holy Qu’ran. Fasting is not mandatory for children until they reach puberty, usually between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls, and 12 and 16 for boys.
When Ramadan falls in the winter, it's much easier to fast, as the days are shorter, which means you don't have to fast as long, and it's colder, so not being able to drink water all day is not too difficult. When Ramadan falls in the summer, fasting can be arduous. In many Muslim countries in the Middle East, South Asian Continent and Africa, summer temperatures can soar, and in some Northern European countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, fasting can last an average of 20 hours in the summer!
Why is Ramadan important?
The act of fasting is abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, this is meant to remind Muslims of the less fortunate and to reinforce the need to be thankful. It is a month of prayer, humility, family, and communities giving and coming together, praying and eating together. It’s an opportunity to improve one’s spiritual connection, being mindful of your actions and how to speak to yourself and others. Fasting allows the individual to understand the pain and suffering of millions around the world, who live their lives in poverty and famine.
Muslims fasting in Ramadan usually start their day just before sunrise, eating their last meal and performing their dawn prayers, known as Fajr. The meal eaten at this time is known as Suhoor.
After evening prayers and sunset, Muslims break their fast with Iftar. Iftar is a celebration with plenty of food, family, and friends.
What is Chand Raat?
It’s the night before Eid, (equivalent to Christmas Eve for Christians), where families would wait eagerly for the sighting of the moon. Once the moon is sighted and the local mosque confirms the end of Ramadan Muslims wish family and friends "Chaand Raat Mubarak". The sighting of the new moon signals the arrival of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the day of Eid.
During this evening there is an ineffable buzz and excitement in households, as copious amounts of special dishes such as halwa, biryani are prepared, new clothes are laid out, many girls/women adorn their hands with mehndi (henna) in preparation for Eid the next morning!
What is Eid Al – Fitr?
Eid Al-Fitr means Celebration of the Break or End of Fasting, it is the earlier of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam the other being Eid Al-Adha which will be celebrated from 28th June 2023 – 2nd July 2023.
Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan, which for many Muslims is the first daytime meal they've eaten in a month!
This year, Eid is set to begin on the evening of Friday 21st April and will last until the evening of Saturday 22nd April. This year Eid will be extra special as it will be celebrated on Friday, this is because Friday (known as Jumma) is a sacred day of worship for Muslims.
Eid al- Fitr is a joyous celebration traditionally lasting three days. Muslims mark the occasion with private and community events such as communal prayer (salat), parties, preparing and eating special foods, giving gifts, wearing new clothes, and visiting friends and family (Much like Christmas).
You can give well wishes to Muslim friends by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’, which is an Arabic term translated as ‘Blessed feast/festival’.
With thanks to Shahin Rahman for giving us permission to use her article which available on the Wirral Council intranet for council staff.