Ramadan starts tonight

For many Muslims, this Fridaynight is the start of Ramadan, a month of reflection in which people only eat and drink between sunset and sunrise. By fasting, Muslims learn to control themselves and think about what they have. ​

According to Islam, participation in Ramadan is compulsory for everyone in a healthy physical condition. Fasting takes place between the 'fajr' (dawn) and the 'maghrib' (end of fasting). Apart from not eating and not drinking, Muslims must not smoke and avoid sexual intercourse. ​

When Muslims are not in a healthy condition, they are not allowed to participate. This includes pregnant women and people who suddenly fall ill. But also those who have diabetes or suffer from a chronic illness are exempt. They do have to give alms for every day they do not follow Ramadan. ​

The month of Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, because it is the month in which the first sura or verse of the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed by the angel Gabriel. This month is always the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which moves forward 11 to 12 days each year. This is because the calendar has 12 months of 29 or 30 days. The Koran explicitly forbids the introduction of leap years or months. ​

Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with the Eid al-Fitr or Sugar, which officially lasts three days and is filled with moments of prayer and the eating of traditional sugared biscuits and cakes. This year, the Sugar Festival falls on the evening of Sunday 1 May after sunrise.

© BELGA PHOTO THIERRY ROGE: Illustration picture shows bread at La Panaderia in Molenbeek, as lots of people observing the Ramadan come to buy bread at the bakery, on the first day of the Ramadan, Muslims observe a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community, during the coronavirus crisis and the mosques are closed, Thursday 23 April 2020.