Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 1 The Religious Ritual of Ramadan 1

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 2 What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and a time when Muslims across the world will fast during the hours of daylight. Ramadan is the fifth pillar of Islam. 2

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 3 During Ramadan Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan, and some will try to become better Muslims by praying more or reading the Qur'an. Each evening a portion of the Qur’an will be read. Many Muslims will attempt to read the whole of the Qur'an at least once during the Ramadan period. Many will also attend special services in Mosques during which the Qur'an is read. 3

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 4 During Ramadan Fasting (Sawm) is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self- restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. It is common to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the iftar), directly after sunset. Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal. 4

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 5 Why do the dates change every year? The exact dates of Ramadan change every year because Islam uses a lunar calendar, which means that each month begins with the sighting of a new moon. Because lunar months are shorter than the solar months used elsewhere, Islamic holidays begin on different days each year. (adapted from an article on 5

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 6 Why do the dates change every year? The start of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each year according to the western Gregorian calendar, and consequently is not associated with any particular western month. For Muslims living in Ireland, the fast may therefore be comparatively short if Ramadan falls during the winter months, or much longer if it occurs during the summer. 6

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 7 Why is this religious ritual so important for Muslims? Ramadan is important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month in which the first verses of Islamic scripture (the Quran) were revealed by Allah to Muhammad. Muslims consider the Quran to be God's speech recorded in the Arabic language, and transmitted to the world through Muhammad, who is considered the last of the prophets. 7

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 8 When is Ramadan in 2010? 12 th August – 10 th September 2010 Keep up to date with the prayer timetable using this site: ble-ireland 8

Religious Education Support - PDSTReligious Education Support 9 Vocabulary for Ramadan Ramadan – the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Sawm – Arabic word meaning "fasting.” Suhoor – the pre-dawn breakfast meal eaten before beginning the daily fast. Iftar – the evening meal, taken after sunset to break the daily fast. Tarawih – special prayers offered nightly during Ramadan, in which approximately 1/30th of the Quran is recited each night. Eid al-Fitr – Festival at the end of Ramadan, in celebration of completing the month of fasting. This takes place on the 1st day of the next month, Shawal. 9