When does Ramadan 2018 start in UK? When is Eid al-Fitr? And why do Muslims fast every year?

Everything you need to know about this significant event on the Islamic calendar

Every year, Muslims across the world take part in Ramadan.

The annual fast is integral to Islamic faith and will take place from mid-May to mid-June.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for spiritual reflection, acts of charity and spending time with loved ones.

It is also a month when Muslims fast. This means they don’t eat or drink between sunrise and sunset, which is important during Ramadan as it allows them to devote themselves further to their faith, ultimately becoming closer to Allah, or God.

The reason why Muslims fast is because it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the other pillars being faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to Mecca – the Holy City.

Before sunrise, they will have a meal (suhoor) and another meal (iftar) after sunset. The only people that do not have to fast during Ramadan are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those who are travelling or who are ill.

When does Ramadan start in 2018?

This year Ramadan begins on Tuesday May 15 and ends on Thursday June 14.

Ramadan falls at a different time each year because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, which means there isn’t a fixed date.

What happens when Ramadan ends?

Eid al-Fitr – is a festival and celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. This year it will begin at the first sight of the new moon on June 14.

What and when is Eid ul Adha?

Beginning on 21st August until 25th August, Eid ul Adha is also known as the Greater Eid and is regarded as the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar.

Observed by Muslims around the world, it marks the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son in order to obey God but was stopped by God who provided him with an animal to sacrifice instead.

To commemorate this, Muslims will feast on an animal but will divide it into three parts. They will give one part to the poor and those in need, one part to friends and they will share one part with their family.

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