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Rabat – Astronomers in the UK are expecting the holy month of Ramadan to begin on Saturday, April 2.
According to Islamic Relief, Ramadan will begin on April 2 and will end on Monday, May 1, in the UK.
The UK-based organization emphasized that the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan in the UK will be confirmed after the sighting of the crescent moon.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. In Islam, Ramadan is one of the sacred months, when Muslims across the globe fast every day from dawn until sunset.
Physical fasting means that Muslims cannot smoke, drink alcohol, chew gum, or engage in any sexual activity from dawn to sunset.
Exceptions concern people who are ill, travelers, and children who did not reach puberty.
Muslims living in non-Muslim countries often celebrate Ramadan as a community. In the UK, many Islamic centers and mosques welcome people for iftar or breakfast, an evening meal that Muslims end their fasting with at sunset.
Muslims break their fast after Maghrib (sunset prayer). The iftar meal usually starts with dates and milk before jumping to other delicious dishes prepared specifically during the month of Ramadan.
Some families prefer to keep their iftar light so they can convene at a dining table with the main dishes reserved for dinner.
Muslims in the UK and across the world also attend Taraweeh, extra evening prayers performed after Isha (night prayers).
In addition, charitable services, including paying Zakat, one of the Islamic pillars, are also highly encouraged among Muslims during Ramadan.
During COVID-19 peaks, Muslim communities across the world had to carry out Taraweeh prayers at home due to either lockdown or curfews.
2020 saw total lockdowns and strict curfews that prevented Muslims from going to mosques and breaking the fast at the homes of friends and extended family.
