Ramadan begins: this is the holy month for Muslims

The start of Ramadan fluctuates each year because the Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon. A moon-sighting committee in Saudi Arabia is in charge of determining when the holy month begins: the first day of the month to the day after the sighting of the new moon. In Catalonia, from 5:37 a.m. on Monday, observant Muslims fast until the sun sets at 6:53 p.m. It will end on April 9.

When does it start?

The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by a moon-sighting committee in Saudi Arabia. The first day begins the day after the new moon is sighted by the committee. Observation can be complicated because the crescent moon is rather pale and visible for only about twenty minutes. If the moon is not visible to the naked eye due to fog or clouds, calculations are applied to determine its presence in the sky.

What does it mean?

Ramadan is one of the twelve months of the Islamic calendar. It was also part of the ancient Arabic calendars. The name comes from the Arabic root ar-ramad, meaning “overwhelming heat.” It commemorates the time in 610 AD when, according to Muslim tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran, the Islamic holy book. This revelation, Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Destiny), is said to have taken place during Ramadan. Muslims fast during this month to commemorate the revelation of the Quran.

The Quran consists of 114 chapters and is regarded by Muslims as the direct transcription of Allah’s words. The stories of the companions who recorded the thoughts and actions of the Prophet Muhammad complete the Quran. Together they form the sacred texts of Islam.

What is the purpose of fasting?

During Ramadan, Muslims seek to grow spiritually and strengthen their relationship with God. Throughout the month, they fast and abstain from drinking, smoking, and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset. This is done by observant Muslims, but it is also common for non-religious people to follow it as a matter of custom. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims, but there are exceptions: children, the sick, pregnant women, travelers, and the elderly; it is also not required during menstruation. Missed fasting days can be made up during the rest of the year, either all at once or separately.

During Ramadan, meals become a time of community, when families and friends gather to share a meal. Breakfast before sunrise, or suhoor, usually takes place at 4 a.m., before the first prayer of the day, Fajr. Dinner, iftar, begins after the end of the evening prayer, usually around 7:30 p.m. in our latitudes. It is traditional to break the fast with dates, which are high in calories and contain a lot of sugar and water, emulating the tradition of Muhammad.

Arabist Dolors Bramon explains: "Daytime abstinence in Ramadan cannot be equated – and therefore not translated – to the fast prescribed by other religions. It should be noted that it differs from the fasts of Judaism and Christianity in that in Islam it is not related to the affliction of the soul or to contrition; it basically consists of a struggle by believers to overcome themselves, and in Arabic it is called "the fast of the day." jihad al-nafs, that is, "jihad of the spirit."

How does it end?

After the last day of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration during which they gather to pray, eat, exchange gifts and pay homage to their deceased relatives. It is a holiday of brotherhood and a collective reminder of the universality of Islam, and it jointly commemorates the victory achieved by each believer over his own body, the joy of having conquered the senses and of having succeeded in imitating the angels, who have no passions.