Ramadan is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar as it is the month of sawm (fasting), which brings Muslims closer to their faith and, with that, Allah (SWT). It is the ninth month in the lunar calendar and, as per the message of the Holy Qur’an, all able Muslims should observe the fast throughout Ramadan.

This means that Muslims, between sunrise and sunset, will abstain from food and drink – as well as swearing, impure thoughts and sexual activity. This is a time for reflection and contemplation, as well as a time for giving which is why Muslims are obliged to pay Zakat ul-Fitr (Fitrana) during Ramadan before the Eid prayers begin.

As the Islamic calendar goes by the sighting of the moon, Ramadan will fall roughly 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar and, thus, there is no exact time and date. When Ramadan falls during the summer months, this often means that Muslims will be fasting for between 18 and 20 hours a day (depending on their location), while the years that Ramadan falls in the winter months means a considerably shorter fasting period.