Photo by Mohamed Mahmoud, CC0 by 1.0 on Public Domain Pictures
Photo by Mohamed Mahmoud, CC0 by 1.0 on Public Domain Pictures

By: Abby Ezechiels

Ramadan Mubarak!

It’s that time of year where Muslims around the world welcome the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting, worship, charity, and community that will last from the evening of March 22th to evening of April 20th.

Ramadan is the ninth month of Muslim Calendar and begins and ends with a crescent moon. It is believed that it was in the time that Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhamad the Quran, Islam’s most holy book, to be used for guidance. This month is a period of heavy reflection and self-restraint. Muslims refrain, from sunrise to sunset, from food, drink, and any kinds of possibly immoral behavior. When the day is over, some communities sound drums or ring bells to remind Muslims it is time to break their fast and eat before the next dawn. This meal is communal and meant to bring people together. Non-muslims are always welcome at this time, but are not expected to participate in the month-long, heavy fasting. 

Now, what happens at the end of Ramdan? Well, Eid al-Fitr is known as the “Feast of Fast-Breaking,” a one to three day celebration of baked goods, gifts, new clothes, visiting the graves of those who have passed away, gathering for large family meals, and of course, prayer. 

So, you might be wondering, how can non-muslims be respectful to those practicing Ramadan? Here’s a few simple tips on etiquette:

  1. It’s totally alright for someone to eat in front of a muslim during Ramadan, but try not to invite them out to lunch or be weird when they physically distance themselves from food. Withholding food all day is not easy.
  2. The time of Ramadan changes every year, as it doesn’t follow the Gregorian calendar. You don’t have to keep track, but it’s nice to be understanding when the time comes and accommodations must be made.
  3. It’s always nice to hear Ramadan Mubarak, but try not to say anything insensitive about the fasting aspect. It is not about weight loss, diets, or anything food related. Ramadan is a time of personal and spiritual growth through certain acts that remove them from material things and bring them closer to God. 

And that’s about it! 

Work Cited:

“Eid Al-Fitr.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Mar. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_al-Fitr

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Ramadan”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ramadan. Accessed 24 March 2023.