When is it?

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Thursday 23 April. It is expected to end at sunset on Saturday 23 May 2020. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is marked by the sighting of the new moon.

During this holy month, Muslims are obligated to fast from before dawn through to sunset every day for 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and is an important time for Muslims to reflect, pray and practice compassion and humility.

A little background on Ramadan

The word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic word ‘Ramad,’ which means to be intensely heated by the sun.  Scholars have said during the blessed month, the sins of the believers are being burnt.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” 

Following the Sunnah

The Prophet (pbuh) epitomised virtuous character and exemplified the Islamic values of mercy, kindness, tolerance and equality. Muslims try to follow his example – or sunnah – in drawing closer to God. In Ramadan, this includes  making du’a for others, feeding people and giving charity.

Our Ramadan message

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. [Qur’an 49:13] 

To welcome this holy month, we’re asking you to practice compassion and to celebrate diversity – to come together as a community and learn from and help each other.

Furthermore, charity is held in high regard in Islam, therefore, it is made an obligation for Muslims in the form of Zakat. Zakat is one of the major five pillars of Islam. It is a necessity to give Zakat to those who are wealthy enough.

Be prepared this holy month and calculate your Zakat now.