The holiest month Ramadan has fast approached us. Based on current predictions, the 1st of Ramadan is most likely to be May 16 in the UK.
The ninth month of the lunar calendar, Ramadan is when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (saw). In celebration of this, Muslims around the world will embark on a month of fasting and sacrifice, regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
‘The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.’ (Qur’an 2:185)
The Muslim lunar calendar consists of 12 months, six of which have 29 days and six of which have 30 days. As a result, the lunar year is 354 days long; meaning the start of Ramadan varies by around 11 days each year. Also, since the sighting of the new moon varies from country to country, the dates of Ramadan can differ all around the world.
