Ramadan is a very important time in the Islamic calendar and Muslims all over the world will begin taking part in Ramadan from April 13 until May 12.
As with last year, Ramadan will be a bit different this time, as the coronavirus pandemic means there are restrictions on what people can do.
Communal worship is not allowed this year, social distancing must be enforced and different households cannot mix indoors.
This is because of worldwide ‘lockdowns’ which are helping to stop the spread of the disease.
In total, more than 1,000 people of the Muslim faith lived in Laois, including people of Irish nationality.
Laois teenager Zara Rasool, of ICCI Al Rahman Youth Portlaoise, has penned a piece which explains to us all what Ramadan is all about:
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.
Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.
Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help.
Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help.
It is common to have a meal (known as the suhoor) just before dawn and another (known as the iftar) directly after sunset.
At the end of the fast – when the sun has gone down – usually, families and friends will get together for iftar to break their fast.
The Mosques are advising families and friends to video call each other during iftar this year during lockdown.
Many Muslims also usually go to the mosque to pray, when lockdown restrictions aren’t in place.
Some mosques have been holding virtual services online for people to watch together.
Why does it fall now?
Ramadan falls during this month because this is when the holy book that’s followed by Muslims, called the Qur’an, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but the date changes each year.
This is because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the Moon), so it isn’t a fixed date in the Western/solar calendar.
Does everybody fast?
Muslim believe fasting is for all of mankind, as Allah gave the message for every human being.
However Not everybody fasts during Ramadan.
Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are ill, or who are travelling, don’t have to fast.
What happens at the end of Ramadan?
There is a special festival to mark the end of Ramadan. This is called Eid al-Fitr – the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.
It begins when the first sight of the new moon is seen in the sky.
There is a special festival to mark the end of Ramadan. This is called Eid al-Fitr – the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.
SEE ALSO – Prestigious recognition for Mountmellick business Midland Steel
