5 things to know about Ramadan

Wednesday marked the start of one of the most important periods of the year for Muslims, with it being the first day of Ramadan for those around the world who observe.

For those who don’t know exactly what Ramadan is and how it’s observed, here are five things to know.

1. What is Ramadan?
Ramadan falls on the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar and is believed to be the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It starts when the first moon is observed over Mecca.

2. How long is Ramadan?
Ramadan lasts roughly a month, and this year (2023) it is supposed to end on April 21.

3. Why is Ramadan held 11 days earlier on the solar calendar every year?
The Islamic calendar is a lunar one instead of a solar one, so months begin when a new moon is sighted. As a result, the Islamic year is 10 to 11 days shorter within the realm of the solar calendar, so Ramadan tends to be celebrated at different periods of time over a span of years.