The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has begun.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting. Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends. People will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help. This year, spending time with family and friends will present challenges so we urge people to observe social distancing and stay safe during this special month.
It is common to have a meal (known as the suhoor) just before dawn and another (known as the iftar) directly after sunset. At the end of the fast – when the sun has gone down – iftar means to break the fast. At the end of Ramadan, there is a special three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. This is called Eid al-Fitr – the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
This year Ramadan will be different as we all adjust to life under lockdown. The Muslim Council of Great Britain has produced guidance for #RamadanAtHome called Ramadan 2020 under lockdown. Visit the link to find out more.
Ramadan Mubarak to our Forge Family.