Ramadan 2024: How Muslims will mark the holy month
Muslims across the world are preparing for Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, reflection and community.
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, when Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon.
The holy month ends with a three-day celebration know as Eid al-Fitr, although some Muslims say festivities will be toned down this year due to war in Gaza.
When is Ramadan?
This year, the holy month is expected to begin on Monday, March 11 and end on Tuesday, April 9. The timing of Ramadan follows the lunar cycle and is dependent on the sighting of a crescent moon at the first and end of the month.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, or key practices that a Muslim is obligated to fulfill in their lifetime. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. They also refrain from habits such as smoking and sexual relations from dusk to dawn.
During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal known as iftar. Fasting is meant to heighten to self-discipline, strengthen faith and build empathy with those less fortunate.
Muslims focus on spiritual reflection and devotion during Ramadan with additional prayers, recitation of the Quran and acts of charity.
How do Muslims break fasts during Ramadan?
Ramadan is also a time for strengthening bonds within the Muslim community. Mosques also host community iftars, while faith groups often arrange charitable initiatives to support people in need.
Muslims greet one another during the holiday with the expressions "Ramadan Mubarak," which means "Blessed Ramadan," or "Ramadan Kareem," which translates as "Generous Ramadan."
Families and friends come together for iftar, sharing meals and supporting one another in their spiritual endeavors. The iftar meal is typically a joyous occasion, with lavish meals shared with extended family and community.
When does Ramadan end?
Ramadan ends Saturday in a three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr that features family gatherings, gift exchanges and lavish feasts.
Some Muslims say that celebrations will be toned down because of war in Gaza, where at least 29,000 have been killed and nearly 70,000 injured, according to Gaza health authorities. Just 20% of Muslims are from the Middle East, but the region has strong religious significance.
In Jerusalem, Israel has conducted aggressive police raids at Al Asqa Mosque, Islam's third holiest site, during Ramadan in recent years. This year, Israel has proposed strict restrictions on who can enter the mosque, sparking concerns of a backlash that could further inflame tensions.
Who observes Ramadan?
More than 1.8 billion Muslims, who account for around a quarter of the world’s population, are expected to observe Ramadan. Islam ranks as the third-largest religion in the United States, following Christianity and Judaism. In the United States, are about 3.5 million Muslims in the country, or about 1% of the total population.
In New Jersey, Muslims make up 3.5% percent of the population, or about 350,000 people, according to the 2020 US Religion Census. It is the largest concentration of any U.S. state. As the community has grown, many school districts have added Eid al-Fitr as an official holiday on the school calendar.
In January, New Jersey marked its first official Muslim Heritage Month, a designation intended to raise awareness and understanding about Muslim Americans.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: When is Ramadan 2024: How Muslims will mark holy month
