A short guide to Ramadan

Ramadan began on Sunday May 5 and will continue until June 4.

MAY 7, 2019 07:39

Workers put up canvases to provide shade for worshippers on the sacred compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, in preparation for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, in Jerusalem's Old City April 30, 2019. (photo credit: AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS) — Workers put up canvases to provide shade for worshippers on the sacred compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, in preparation for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, in Jerusalem's Old City April 30, 2019.

(photo credit: AMMAR AWAD / REUTERS)

The month of Ramadan is one of the holiest times of the year for Muslims. Considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, observing Ramadan forms a key tenant of faith for Muslims.

Muslims believe that the Quran was revealed to them on Ramadan. Ramadan is actually the name of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts between 29-30 days according to the cycle of the moon. Because of the nature of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan can take place during different seasons depending on the year.

Each day of the month, from sunrise to sunset, Muslims refrain from eat, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations.

Each morning Muslims have a pre-fast meal called Suhoor, before the first prayer of the day, fajr. Muslims end the day with iftar, a break-fast meal after sunset.

This year, Ramadan began on the night of May 5.

As of 2017, there are 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, according to a Pew study. Muslims come from various different backgrounds but are most densely located in the Middle East and North Africa.

Get your Ramadan times here.

Ramadan Moubarak!