Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr

In short: Ramadan is the month of fasting in Islam. Observant Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset; at the end they celebrate the Festival of Breaking the Fast, often called the Sugar Festival in Germany.

In more detail: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar year, it starts earlier every year and so moves through all the seasons.

In detail

• Meaning: Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is meant to strengthen self-discipline, reflection and compassion for people in need.
• Daily routine: Before dawn there is an early meal (suhur); after sunset the fast is broken with iftar, traditionally often with dates and water.
• Exemptions: Children, sick people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, travellers and older people for whom fasting would be harmful are exempt; missed days can in some cases be made up later.
• Community: Many invite family, friends and neighbours to break the fast together; mosques often hold open iftar evenings.
• Prayer and the Quran: During Ramadan people pray and read the Quran a great deal; one night towards the end of the month, the Night of Power, is considered especially significant.
• Festival of Breaking the Fast: In Arabic Eid al-Fitr, in Turkish Ramazan Bayramı; it usually lasts three days, with a festive prayer, visits, new clothes and sweets.
• Charity: Before the festival a donation is given to people in need so that everyone can join the celebration.
• Dates: The beginning and end follow the lunar calendar and the sighting of the crescent moon, so the dates can differ by a day between countries and communities (schaltjahr-und-kalender).
• In everyday life: Consideration helps, for example with evening appointments or sport at school and work; a greeting such as “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Happy Eid” is usually welcome (feiertage-in-deutschland).