17/02/2026
So here we are again, for Muslims the month of Ramadan is upon us again. A blessing.
A few have asked, "what is Ramadan?". Here is a brief snapshot.
The Islamic calender follows the lunar cycle, which is a shorter year than the current solar calender we follow universally.
Fasting starts at dawn, and ends at sunset. The breaking of the fasting day is called iftar.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a holy month of prayer and fasting. It begins and ends with the shape of the crescent moon, which is why Ramadan is not set on any specific days annually.
Each year, the day it starts and ends changes as it goes with the moon calendar. Depending on the region, it may even change the dates on which Ramadan is celebrated.
Muslims believe that Ramadan is meant to strengthen our relationship with God. The religious holiday involves fasting, praying and being around loved ones.
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, God gave Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the Qu'ran, Islam's holy book..
Itโs a month of charity and generosity. Itโs a time of doing good deeds for those near and far, and a time of spiritual reflection.
The Qur'an reads:
๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐คโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐! ๐น๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข, ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐กโฆ.๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ ๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐โ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ข๐'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐กโ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ โ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐. ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ, ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐; โฆ๐ด๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข [๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐โ๐๐ก] ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ [๐กโ๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐], ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฆ ๐ผ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐โฆ.
Qur'an (Surah al-Baqarah (2):183-186)
The idea behind fasting is to practice self restrain, which is one of the pillars of Islam. Fasting is done from dusk till dawn. Every Muslim that has reached puberty, and is physically capable, is required to fast.
Muslims must abstain from:
โข Liquids
โข Food
โข Sexual activities
โข Negative thoughts
โข Bad intentions
Although there are no sexual activities during the fast, couples are allowed to have intimate encounters at night once the fast is broken.
Muslims ask for forgiveness during Ramadan for the sins they have committed. It is about repentance. A habit takes a month to form, so Ramadan being a month-long allows for the habit to form.
It becomes a time to commune more deeply with God. It becomes a time to become more aware of God's mercy and to seek that forgiveness.
During Ramadan, the five daily prayers continue to be observed. Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with the meal called ifแนญฤr. This meal is often celebrated with friends and extended family. Ifแนญฤr traditionally starts with dates and water.
A lost day can be made up by extra days of fasting. People who get sick or are traveling during Ramadan can be exempt from fasting, but would have to fast for additional days after Ramadan is over to make up for the days missed.
Those who do not fast may choose a substitute like feeding the poor or giving money to feed others.
Pregnant and nursing individuals as well as people on their periods are exempt from fasting, as well as older or weaker participants or those with mental illness.
The end of Ramadan is a celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, one of the major holidays for Muslims. Families and friends get together, and there is a special communal prayer to mark the end of Ramadan. People often dress up in traditional clothing and eat traditional foods.
So we wish all who will be observing the month of Ramadan, a peaceful month. And may it allow us to increase in kindness and compassion for all.
And for all of our non-Muslim friends, we truly appreciate and respect your kindness, support and understanding during this month.
We pray for all of humanity and wish everyone well, we pray for those who are suffering at the hands of hard hearts, we pray for those who are being persecuted under oppression and occupation. We pray that there is ease and calm for all who are facing difficult times right now. May we all find peace, calm and friendship with all.
Ramadan Mubarak โฅ
Barakah Food Aid family and friends.
For The People. By The People.
