The Holy Month of Ramadan

Welcome to the blessed Month of Ramadan. May Allah accept our prayers and fasts during this Holy month and give us strength to do right by the blessed month.

The holy month of Ramadan begins this week. In the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, healthy adult Muslims fast each day from dawn until dusk. For millions of Muslims around the world, it’s an opportunity for celebration, new beginnings, spiritual renewal, and reflection. (Pictured above students in the GSSC prayer room)

Happy Ramadan and Ramadan Mubarak

This period of Ramadan started on the 2-3 of April and will finish on the 2-3 of May. As it is determined by the moon calendar, the final day may change, to a day earlier or later.

Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims world wide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

On Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May, traditionally, our Arabic and Muslim students and employers , (Iraqis, Syrians, Sudanese, Afghans, Turkish, Albanians and many more) would be away from schools and work because of a special night of the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Kids usually stay awake the whole night with their family to pray at the Mosques or at home!

Arabic and Muslim communities fast between sunrise and sunset, for the whole month of Ramadan. The girls start fasting at the age of 10 and the boys start at the age of 15. Some of the younger children join in with their family, waking at least two hours before sunrise to eat and drink and stopping 30 minutes before sunrise.

They do not eat again until 30 minutes after sunset. The underage children can break their fast before midday because it is just a practice for them, but it depends on their family.

If you have any questions about this event, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Hussam Saraf                                                                    

Multicultural Liaison Officer