Ramadan 2023 To Officially Begin on March 23 in the Netherlands

Rabat – The first day of Ramadan 2023 will officially take place on Thursday, March 23 in the Netherlands, Dutch broadcasting association IslamOmroep has announced

“Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates have announced that tomorrow, Wednesday, is the last day of the month of Sha’ban. That means the first day of the holy month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday,” the association said.

Ramadan, which is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the holiest and most significant events in Islam. It is an opportunity for Muslims to embark on a spiritual journey and get closer to Allah by doing good deeds, praying, and reading Quran.

In addition, Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which include the Profession of Faith (Shahada), Prayer, Almsgiving (Zakat), and Pilgrimage (Hajj). Ramadan is considered to be the month during which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

During the holy month, worshipers abstain from food and drinks and other physical needs from dusk till dawn for 29 or 30 days. Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the moon signing denotes the staters and the end of the Islamic months.

Read also: Premier League Referees To Pause Matches for Players to Break Ramadan Fast

The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid Al Fitr, a joyous festival during which Muslims gather with friends, family, and loved ones to exchange gifts and share meals. It marks the first day of returning to a normal eating schedule.

The Muslim community in the Netherlands, which represents roughly 5% of the country’s population, may face some unique challenges during Ramadan, such as longer days and shorter nights during certain times of the year.

This means that Muslims in the European country would have to fast for longer periods of time. But many have adapted to these challenges and found ways to make the most of their Ramadan experience, especially by joining Ramadan celebrations in Muslim-majority areas and neighborhoods.