What is Ramadan?

Written by Zainab Khatoon

Ramadan is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar for people of the Muslim faith. This sacred month marks the revelation of the Qur’an (Holy book). During this month Muslims perform special nighttime prayers and devote time to reading the Qur’an. It is also the month of fasting where Muslims fast (from both drink and food) from sunrise to sunset.

Ramadan 2025 is estimated to take place from the evening of Friday, 28th February to Sunday, 30th March. 

Recognising Ramadan

Acknowledging and respecting Ramadan to a Muslim colleague, friend, family member or associate is welcomed. You can do this by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” (pronounced Ram-a-dam Moo-baa-rack) meaning Happy Ramadan, or “Ramadan Kareem” (pronounced Ram-a-dam Ka- reem) this captures the blessings, generosity and goodwill that is portrayed in the month.

Reflection

Ramadan is a beautiful time of year, but equally as testing for a coffee addict like me. As a family, it is one of the only times in the year, we all get together and have dinner at the same time (ensuring we all finish our work, socialising, and gaming ready for iftar at home). This is the time that we focus on connecting, which is not without its challenges. As Ramadan is a time of self-reflection and working on being a good person, we often practice ideas such as “kind eyes” (the idea of stopping when we are angry or annoyed, changing our eyes that represent our negative emotion to a softer look, to softer our feelings – it actually works!) with one another and to keep a light and loving heart through out the month. I would be lying if I said that the month is full of kind eyes and kindness throughout by there is some success in our struggle.

Like every Muslim household, we aim to stay away from “fatty foods” and “be healthy this year”, and like every year we fail 2 days in craving samosas, pizzas and desserts at iftar. That being said, this year all of us sisters would like to lose some weight and “be healthy this year”, she says, but Ramadan isn’t about losing weight. We are grateful for the food and drink we have.

Charity

Taking away from the struggles, Ramadan is the time of year we all prioritise our connection with our creator and those less fortunate to us. This is the month we all aim to give charity, in both monetary value and through the love and care we share with those around us. We believe this is the time of year to develop our character and better habits to carry into the rest of the year, each year improving the people we are and becoming the Muslims we aspire to be.

Be mindful that some of your Muslim connections may not be fasting due to exemptions such as illness, pregnancy, age, their menstrual cycle, and personal choice. In some instances where Muslims cannot fast, they can pay for meals for the poor as an of compensation as well as making up for it (fasting) later in the year. Therefore, be careful not to question why someone is not fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Remember, kind eyes….

To all our Muslim connections,

"Ramadan Mubarak to you and your loved ones. May Allah’s mercy and blessing be with you."