Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: Ш±Щ…Ш¶Ш§Щ†) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month in Islam. However, it is an ordinary month for non-Muslims that live in the countries that use the Islamic calendar.

Timing

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The estimated start and end dates for Ramadan are as follows:

• 2004 – First day: October 15, 2004; last day: November 13, 2004
• 2005 – First day: October 4, 2005; last day: November 2, 2005
• 2006 – First day: September 23, 2006; last day: October 22, 2006
• 2007 – First day: September 12, 2007; last day: October 11, 2007
• 2008 – First day: August 31, 2008; last day: September 29, 2008

Most Muslims insist on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some insist on using the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month.

At the termination of the great month of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated. Muslims come out and rejoice with a sense of accomplishment for coming closer to Allah. It is a time for Muslim families and friends to worship and celebrate together.

Events

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting practiced by all observant Muslims. The fasting during Ramadan has been so predominant in defining the month that some have been led to believe the name of this month, Ramadan, is the name of Islamic fasting, when in reality the Islamic term for fasting is sawm. The fasting along with the other events of the month, including the Laylat al-Qadr, makes Muslims feel that the month is very spiritual in nature.