When is Ramadan 2020 starting is a question asked by millions of Muslims all over the world.We shall also be looking at facts and history of the holy month,things to refrain from,who can and cannot fast.
Ramadan will start on the evening of Thursday 23 April, and will end on the evening of Saturday 23 May.
The Islamic calendar is based on the cycle of the moon, meaning the date Ramadan falls on can change from year to year.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts between 29 and 30 days,this is based on the lunar calendar.
This means the Muslims holidays shift slightly every year due to their observance of the lunar calendar - this is different in length to the Gregorian calendar used worldwide.As a result of this, celebrations fall around 11 days earlier each year.
When holidays and celebrations will be determined,depends on the sighting of the moon’s crescent, following a new moon.
Because the visibility of the moon depends on a number of factors that include clear skies,the exact date of celebrations in the Muslim calendar can not always be predicted with certainty.
Any Muslim who is the age of puberty are expected to fast during Ramadan,but women who are menstruating or pregnant, and those suffering from illness are exempted.
The things that are forbidden during the holy act are,no food and drink,no water,no smoking,no sex and masturbation.All these acts are forbidden during day light hours for the whole month.
The fasting time starts at dawn after a light meal called ‘Suhoor’.Then you say a prayer known as ‘Maghrib’ at sunset to signify the end of the fast.This is also a time when worshippers traditionally eat dates with juice, milk or water.
Families then gather to break the fast after sunset for the evening meal of Iftar.
After Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims observe Eid al-Fitr.
Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr starting on the evening of Saturday 23 May and end on the evening of Sunday 24 May
For the Eid al Fitr celebration,it is marked with lights, decorations and gifts, with worshippers often dressing up and decorating their homes.
It signifies the end of the holy month when the Quran is said to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad by God.