Ramadan at WAES
Posted: 01.04.2022
The month of Ramadan will take place from Saturday 2nd April to Sunday 1st May. Find out more about Ramadan and how you can support your colleagues and learners by reading on!
To everyone in our community observing Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak!
What is Ramadan?
Holy Month
Ramadan is the 9th and most sacred month of the Islamic Calendar (lunar calendar). It is marked by the sighting of the crescent moon.
It is the month that the holy Quran (sacred scripture of Islam) was revealed.
Fasting is the 4th Pillar of Islam.
Fasting
During this month, Muslims fast by not eating and drinking.
They will have a light meal before dawn called suhoor and not eat and drink anything till sunset.
They will open their fast with a meal called iftar
Spiritual Cleansing
It is a month of both physical and spiritual cleansing. Muslims will spend more time in worship and reflecting whilst abstaining from gossip, arguing etc.
Many Muslims will spend the night in prayer in congregation at the mosque or at home.
Charity (Zakat)
During Ramadan, Muslims are reflective over their blessings and support those in need.
Muslims must give alms (Zakat- the 3rd pillar of Islam). This is a wealth tax, where those who meet the threshold, give 2.5% of their wealth to charity every Ramadan!
Celebration- Eid-ul Fitr
Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three day celebration called Eid ul Fitr where families, friends and community celebrate. Muslims attend a congregational Eid Prayer in the morning of Eid.
A common Greeting for Eid is ‘Eid Mubarak’ which translates as ‘Happy Eid’!
We asked WAES staff what Ramadam means to them