Ramadan – a time for spirituality, family and community

Ramadan is an important month-long religious holiday for Muslims all over the world. The holiday involves fasting, praying and being around loved ones. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Sweets.

Accessibility icon Ramadan – a time for spirituality, family and community

Ramadan – the fourth pillar of Islam

Islam has five important religious duties known as pillars. Fasting is one of the duties, and this takes place during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, you cannot eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. When the month of fasting ends, there is a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr. 

Ramadan is about fasting and focusing on spirituality. It is a time to reflect, pray and feel grateful for what you have. So this celebration is about more than not eating and drinking.

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Silhuett av moske med halvmåne på solnedgangshimmel
Silhuett av moske med halvmåne på solnedgangshimmel

Ramadan in all seasons

The Islamic year is shorter than that in the calendar with 365 days, which is used in many parts of the world. This means that Ramadan moves every year and can be in all seasons.

Ramadan in the Northern hemisphere

There can be up to 20 hours of daylight during summer in the northern countries. Farthest north, the sun is so high in the sky in the summer months that it never sets. This is called the midnight sun.

During winter, it is the other way around. It is dark for many hours, and in some places, the sun never rises at all.

Alternative solutions

When the number of daylight hours varies widely, Muslims do not have to follow the local times of the sun during Ramadan. Some follow the time of the sun in Mecca or other Islamic countries. A group of Muslims has made a prayer table for Muslims living in the northern areas of Europe, Russia, the US and Canada.

📷  Midnight sun in Norway
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Take a closer look at the prayer timetable here
Midnattssol på Nordkapp i Finland
Midnattssol på Nordkapp i Finland

Breaking the fast together

Ramadan is a month Muslims value highly. Every evening when the sun goes down, it is time to break the fast. Friends, family and neighbors meet to share a meal.

Iftar is the Arabic name for the evening meal that breaks the fast. Non-Muslims and non-fasting Muslims can also be a part of Iftar. After the meal it is time for prayer.

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Muslimsk familie som har iftar sammen under Ramadan
Muslimsk familie som har iftar sammen under Ramadan

Ramadan is a good time for conversations and clearing up arguments with family and friends. Everyone tries to be extra kind and generous.

Fasting

Fasting can be good for both body and mind. You can become healthier and you practice willpower. Fasting together also strengthens faith and unity.

Fasting is not for everyone

Children, older people, pregnant and breastfeeding women and physically and mentally ill people do not fast. People with hard physical work can also avoid fasting.

If you don’t fast, you can take part in Ramadan. You can donate to the poor and go to the mosque, and support the rest of your family. You can also try to be a better person.

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En gravid muslimsk kvinne poserer foran solnedgangen
En gravid muslimsk kvinne poserer foran solnedgangen

Muslim identity

Being a part of Ramadan is a part of Muslim identity. It creates a feeling of belonging and unity between the rich and the poor. Muslims from different countries and generations share the same experience at the same time.

Collage av mange mennesker
Collage av mange mennesker

The long traditions of fasting

Many religions and philosophies practice fasting. Arabs in the Middle-East practiced fasting before Islam became a religion. Prophets and holy men went into the desert to fast and meditate to reach a higher understanding. This was how the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Ørkensolnedgang i Midtøsten
Ørkensolnedgang i Midtøsten

How to wish someone a happy Ramadan

More than 1,5 billions people all over the world celebrate Ramadan each year. How can you wish someone a happy Ramadan?

The most common greeting is Ramadan Mubarak! It means «happy Ramadan» or «blessed Ramadan». You can also say Ramadan Kareem, which means «have a generous Ramadan».

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