Ramadan (Ramadan, رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred month in which Muslims around the world fast from dawn until sunset, devoting their time to prayer, reflection, and charity. Because the Islamic calendar follows the cycles of the moon, the start date of Ramadan shifts slightly from year to year.
When is Ramadan this year?
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan moves forward by roughly 11 days each year. The expected dates for upcoming Ramadan periods are as follows.
| Year | Expected Ramadan Period | Eid al-Fitr (end-of-fast holiday) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 February ~ 19 March | 20 March |
| 2027 | Around 8 February ~ 8 March | Around 9 March |
The start and end dates can differ by about one day depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, and may vary by region or mosque. Muslims living in Korea generally follow the same dates used in Saudi Arabia and most other countries, but checking with your mosque or local Muslim community is always the most reliable way to confirm the exact dates.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is much more than a period of fasting. According to Islamic tradition, it is the month in which Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran (the holy scripture of Islam) to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). In commemoration of this, healthy adult Muslims fast from dawn until sunset for the entire month.
Fasting means refraining not only from food and drink, but also from alcohol, anger, and immoral behaviour. Conversely, prayer, recitation of the Quran, and charitable acts are especially encouraged during this time.
How long does Ramadan last?
Ramadan generally lasts 29 or 30 days. It begins when the crescent moon of that month is sighted and ends when the next crescent moon appears.
How does the fast work each day?
Muslims eat and drink nothing from sunrise until sunset. A typical day looks like this:
- Suhoor: An early pre-dawn meal eaten before the sun rises. This is when you take in the nutrition you will need to get through the long day ahead.
- Iftar: The meal that breaks the fast after sunset. Following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, it is common to open the fast with dates and water or milk.
Do all Muslims fast?
Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation for healthy adult Muslims. The following groups are exempt from fasting:
- Children
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Elderly people
- People who are ill
- Travellers
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
1. One of the Five Pillars of Islam
Fasting is one of the five fundamental obligations that form the foundation of a Muslim’s life, known as the Five Pillars of Islam. The other four are the declaration of faith (Shahada), the five daily prayers (Salat), giving to charity (Zakat), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
2. Spiritual discipline
Ramadan is also a time to train patience and manage anger. It is an opportunity to reflect on oneself, keeping in mind that a single word or action can cause pain to others.
3. Gratitude
This is a month for expressing gratitude through prayer for everything received throughout the year.
4. Strengthening bonds with family and loved ones
Following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, gathering with family and friends to share the Iftar meal together is strongly encouraged. Even in the midst of busy daily life, it is a special opportunity to spend time with the people who matter most.
5. Breaking bad habits
The self-restraint of Ramadan applies to both body and mind. For example, Muslim smokers must refrain from cigarettes during fasting hours, and many use this as the starting point to continue not smoking even after Ramadan ends.
6. Health
Fasting is thought to give the digestive system a rest, help the body eliminate toxins, and support physical cleansing. For this reason, eating in a balanced way during Suhoor and Iftar rather than overeating is encouraged. If you happen to see a Muslim going for a light walk or jog during the fast, there is no need to be surprised — staying active during the day is actually encouraged.
Beautiful Ramadan traditions from around the world
Ramadan is a religious obligation, but it has also blossomed into a wide variety of distinctive and beautiful traditions shaped by the cultures and histories of different countries and regions.
Lebanon: The cannon that announces Iftar
In many Middle Eastern countries, a cannon is fired each day during Ramadan to announce the end of the daily fast. This tradition is known as Midfa al-Iftar. It is said to have originated in Egypt around 200 years ago, and in Lebanon there are still cannons used exclusively to fire the Iftar signal to this day.
Pakistan: Chaand Raat, the night before Eid
The sighting of a new crescent moon marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr. In Pakistan, this night is called Chaand Raat, meaning “night of the moon,” and is celebrated as a festival. After the final Iftar, women and girls head out into the streets to buy colourful bangles and have elaborate henna designs drawn on their hands and feet in preparation for Eid.
Morocco: The Nafar who wakes the dawn
During Ramadan in Moroccan towns and villages, a person known as the Nafar dresses in traditional clothing (a gandoura robe, slippers, and a hat) and walks through the streets playing a horn to wake residents for Suhoor. The Nafar is chosen directly by the community as someone honest and trustworthy. This tradition is believed to have come to Morocco from the Middle East.
Egypt: The radiant Ramadan lantern, the Fanoos
Every year in Egypt, the streets light up with colourful lanterns as soon as Ramadan begins. These elaborate lanterns, called Fanoos, symbolise the unity and joy of the holy month. They originated as a cultural custom but have, over many centuries, become so closely tied to Ramadan that they now carry religious significance as well.
South Africa: The Maan Kykers, who watch for the moon with their own eyes
The end of Ramadan is declared through the sighting of the new crescent moon. In South Africa, the people who perform this task are called Maan Kykers in Afrikaans, meaning “moon watchers.”
Muslims from across South Africa gather at key locations such as Sea Point beach, Three Anchor Bay, and Signal Hill in Cape Town to search for the crescent moon with the naked eye. Only a Maan Kyker officially appointed by the South African Muslim Judicial Council may make the formal declaration of sighting. Under Cape Town’s clear night sky, the experience of waiting together for the moon becomes a meaningful ritual in its own right.
Yemen: Fireworks and the Tamasi hymn
People in Yemen welcome Ramadan with a rich combination of food and tradition. Days before the moon appears, they decorate their homes and prepare ingredients, children enjoy fireworks, and a traditional chant called Tamasi is sung. Men and young people gather in the Majlis to take turns reciting the Quran and singing hymns, while the gentle scent of oud drifts around the mosque.
A note for those living alongside Muslim neighbours during Ramadan
If a Muslim neighbour is observing Ramadan, a small and appreciated act of consideration is to avoid offering them food or drink during daytime hours. Ramadan is both a religious obligation and a warm communal celebration. When Eid al-Fitr arrives at the end of Ramadan, feel free to greet them with “Eid Mubarak!” (meaning “Blessed Eid!”) or “Ramadan Kareem!” (meaning “May Ramadan be generous to you!”).