What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, in which healthy adult Muslims are required to fast each day from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the holy month.

Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days, and the time during which it takes place varies every year. As the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which is roughly 10 or 11 days shorter than the commonly used Gregorian calendar, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates back each year.

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday, March 22 and end on the evening of Thursday, April 21, 2023, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Important Dates in Ramadan

The Night of Power – Laylatul Qadr

In light of Allah’s love and mercy towards us, the reward for every good deed in Ramadan is multiplied by 70. The last 10 days and nights hold even more significance as they are full of even greater rewards and blessings. Including the most blessed of nights: Laylatul Qadr.

Allah SWT describes Laylatul Qadr as:

“What will make you realise what the Night of Power is like?

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

Angels and the Spirit descend upon it with their Lord´s permission with every command;

There is peace that night until the coming of dawn.” [Quran: 97:1-5]

Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah’s is the most regular and constant even though it were little. [Prophet Muhammad (s) as narrated by A’isha (ra) in Sahih Bukhari, vol. 8, hadith 471]

Eid al-Fitr 

Eid al-fitr marks the end of the blessed month of Ramadan. 

This year Eid al-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on Friday, April 21, 2023. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shawwal (the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar).