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Explainer: what is Ramadan?

Getty

Getty

For 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year.

It marks the month when the angel Gabriel revealed the Qur’an (Islam’s holy text) to the prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan is held in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The date changes from year to year because it’s based on the lunar cycle, but for 2015 it began on Wednesday June 17.

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It will finish on Saturday July 18 or Friday July 17, depending on how long the lunar month lasts.

Why and what?

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. During Ramadan Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours.

They rise early to eat a meal before dawn and then do not eat or drink again until sundown.

The Qur’an says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain Taqwa (piety).”

As well as fasting, Muslims must refrain from smoking and having sex during the daylight hours of Ramadan. Using foul language and talking about others behind their back is also discouraged.

The month is meant to challenge  Muslims, testing their patience and endurance to teach reflection and encourage spiritual wellbeing.

Who takes part?

All healthy Muslim men and women must fast during the month.

People who cannot fast can make up for the missed fasting later or feed a needy person.

Exemptions can include children, the sick, people who have a mental illness, travellers, the elderly and women who are postnatal, menstruating, breast-feeding or pregnant.

If a Muslim lives in a country where there is more than 20 hours between dawn and sundown – such as Norway – they may follow the times of another country.

The end of the fasting month is celebrated with the Eid al-Fitr festival. It is tradition to celebrate the day by saying Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid), having a sweet breakfast and gathering with close friends and family.

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