Ramadan 2024: Muslims in The Netherlands to Start Fasting on March 11

Rabat – Muslims in the Netherlands are expected to celebrate the first day of Ramadan 2024 on March 11.

According to Wego, a popular travel website for the MENA,  Ramadan will begin on Monday next week in the Netherlands and will end on April 9.

Many countries are expected to announce Monday as the first day of Ramadan, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

During the holy month, Muslims across the world fast from dawn to sunset. The number of fasting hours differ from one region to another.

Wego website also notes that fasting can cover up to 16.5 hours a day in the Netherlands.

Statista, a data focused website, said that the Netherlands host over 17.1 million people, of which roughly 5% are Muslims.

“The majority of Dutch Muslims have their roots in Turkey and Morocco, but since the end of the Second World War people from all over the Islamic world, their children and their grandchildren have made the Netherlands their new home,” Statista data website says. 

According to the same source, most Dutch Muslims are Sunni Muslims.  

In non-Muslim communities, Muslims organize community iftars, or fast breaking meals, and cultural exchanges to curate a special culture around Ramadan.

According to Wego, the population of the Netherlands has a non-Muslimmajority and there are no special laws during the holy month.

However,  “as a sign of respect to the Islamic beliefs and culture, it is better not to eat, drink, or dress, inappropriately in public places in Muslim-dominted locals.”