Ramadan is the name of the ninth month on the Islamic calendar and is used by the world’s billion-strong Muslim population for religious introspection. The period will see most Muslims fast, eating food only before sunrise and after sunset. Muslims will also try to enhance the good in their lives while practising to resist the sin.
When is Ramadan in 2019?
This year, Ramadan starts on Sunday, May 5, and ends on Tuesday, June 4.
These dates are predicted by the Saudi Arabian government each year, which uses astronomical charts to predict the rise of the first crescent moon.
Once the new moon rises, the month can officially begin.
The duration of Ramadan also relies on the moon, as the sighting of the Shawwal Moon determines the official end date and the start of Eid ul Fitr.
The Islamic calendar as a whole relies on the lunar cycle to govern dates, while the western Gregorian calendar relies on the solar cycle.
This pushes back Ramadan 11 days each year on the Gregorian calendar, and last year the month fell from Wednesday, May 16 to Thursday, June 4.
As the years progress Muslims will fast for shorter periods due to fewer daylight hours.
What are the best greetings for Ramadan?
During Eid, Muslims will traditionally greet one another with “Ramadan Mubarak”.
This translates directly to “blessed celebration” or “have a blessed celebration”.
Ramadan Mubarak can also mean “happy Ramadan”, and is used in the same vein as wishing someone a Merry Christmas.
If someone greets you with “Ramadan Mubarak” you can reply with the phrase “Khair Mubarak”.
Returning a greeting with Khair Mubarak wishes goodness on the person who originally greeted you.
Another slightly more complex phrase you can use is “JazakAllah Khair”.
This means thank you, but literally translates to “May Allah reward you with goodness”.
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