Ramadan 2023: When is it? What is it? Everything to know

Haadiza Ogwude and Clare Mulroy, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read
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Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, with 1.8 billion people observing it each year worldwide.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is a time to strengthen their relationship with God through fasting, introspection, prayer and being around loved ones.

Ramadan coincides with the lunar calendar, so the dates it is celebrated vary each year. This year in the U.S., Ramadan is from Wednesday, March 22, to Friday, April 21.

Here's everything to know about the Islamic holy month in 2023.

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When is Ramadan 2023?

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, with 1.8 billion people worldwide observing the holiday each year.
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, with 1.8 billion people worldwide observing the holiday each year.

In the U.S., Ramadan is expected to begin Wednesday, March 22, and continue through April 21, ending with the celebratory Eid al-Fitr.

The day changes yearly because it is set using the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle. There are no fixed start and end dates for the holy month, which relies on the observation of the crescent moon and can change every calendar year.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a holy month for fasting, time with loved ones and prayer. According to USA Today, it is celebrated during the month when Muslims believe God gave the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and told him he was in charge of carrying God’s message.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and a fundamental part of Ramadan, History.com reports. During the holy month, Muslims observing the daily fast begin with a meal before dawn called the suhur, then end each day with an evening meal after sundown called the iftar.

People observing Ramadan are also supposed to abstain from sexual activities. However, married couples can engage at night after the fast has been broken. Avoiding negative thoughts and bad behavior is also an important part of Ramadan.

Only adults who are in good health should fast during the holy month, BBC states. Groups who are exempt from fasting include those who are sick or ill, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, menstruating women and people who are travelling.

The holiest night of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, which occurs during the last 10 days of the month. It’s expected to occur Tuesday, April 18, this year. Laylat al-Qadr is known as the “Night of Power” and is said to be when the Angel Jibril revealed the Qur'an’s first verses to the Prophet Muhammad. Laylat al-Qadr it typically observed at night with reflection, prayer and good deeds.

How to break the fast

Although the menu varies by country, iftar usually begins with water and dates. Other common foods include hummus, fattoush, lentil soup, kebabs and more.
Although the menu varies by country, iftar usually begins with water and dates. Other common foods include hummus, fattoush, lentil soup, kebabs and more.

During Ramadan, Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with a meal called iftar. This meal is often celebrated with friends and family. Although the menu varies by country, iftar usually begins with water and dates. One of the most common dishes specific to Ramadan is tharid, an Arabian meat and vegetable stew often served with crispy bread. However, there are many variations throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

According to History.com, Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, or "the Feast of Fast-Breaking." Eid al-Fitr begins on the day after Ramadan ends and lasts for three days.

While Eid al-Fitr celebrations may vary depending on location, festivities often include special prayers, family gatherings and gifts. Encyclopedia Britannica reports that in some communities women wear white and people prepare special baked goods, visit the graves of deceased relatives and go to mosque during Eid al-Fitr.

When is Eid al-Fitr?

Because the timing of the holiday is dependent on when the new moon is seen, Eid al-Fitr begins at a different time for different countries. It’s expected to begin sometime between Friday, April 21 and Sunday, April 23.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is Ramadan 2023? Everything to know about the Islamic holy month