Ramadan Mubarak! A guide to the holy month of Ramadan in 2022

Ramadan Mubarak! Muslims across the globe are today marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

This year, Ramadan begins on Saturday, April 2, and lasts up until May 1. The dates are based on the ever-changing lunar calendar.

During this time, Muslims observe a period of fasting and refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Those observing the tradition will wake up before sunrise so that they can pray, eat and drink to fuel their bodies ahead of the day.

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Muslims believe that the physical ritual of fasting allows them to understand the suffering of others and is also a way of increasing their closeness to God. People are encouraged to engage in charity and devote extra time to spiritual activities such as praying and reading the Koran.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, usually lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar, but the dates change each year. To mark the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with a feast, known as Eid ul-Fitr.

To wish someone a Happy Ramadan, the greeting most commonly used is 'Ramadan Mubarak'. This translates to 'Blessed Ramadan'. Another commonly used greeting is 'Ramadan Kareem', which translates to 'Generous Ramadan'.

The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic word ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ which means scorching heat or dryness. It normally falls in a hot time of year.

You can find out more about some of the words and phrases you might hear during Ramadan here.

Fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam - a set of core beliefs and practices in Islam that are considered essential for any practising Muslim. Fasting during Ramadan is also considered obligatory for all healthy Muslim men, women and children who have