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Rabat – Muslims in the US, Canada, and other countries across North America are expected to celebrate the first day of Ramadan on March 23, according to astronomical calculations.
The calculations, confirmed by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), show that the “Astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 17:23 GMT. On That day, there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and the moon is 5 degrees above the sun. So, the first day of Ramadan 1444 is on Thursday, March 23.”
The Fiqh council announced that Tarawih prayer will start a day prior to Ramadan starting on Wednesday, March 22.
Taraweeh or Tarawih are special extra prayers that Muslims perform throughout Ramadan – the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
Tarawih includes many rakats (cycles of movement in Islamic prayer), which is part of a special form of Islamic meditation.
During Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from eating food, and drinking any kind of drink –including water. Chewing gums or taking medicines are also prohibited during the fasting hours.
Only people with chronic diseases, with prescribed medicines, and children are exempted from fasting. The elderly and pregnant women who cannot fast are also exempted.
Children are only encouraged to fast when they reach puberty. Some parents among Muslim communities celebrate their children when they fast for self-experience.
Like North America, other countries – including Morocco are also set to begin fasting on March 23.
In addition to meditation, Ramadan also serves as an opportunity to exchange visits, to increase donations, and to help people in need.
Ramadan is also a time when all tasty food is served either during Iftar (the fast-breaking meal at sunset) or during normal dinner after Iftar. In Morocco, food served during fast breaking meals is diversified with cuisine from all across the country – including harira soup, msemn (Morocco’s flat bread), and baghrir (Moroccan pancakes).
