Ramadan began on Thursday, March 23, and Muslims all over the world have been fasting during daylight hours every day since.
Ramadan occurs every year and is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar but the start and end date always changes.
It begins the day after the first crescent moon is sighted at the end of the ninth and religious leaders across the globe monitor the skies to determine it’s start date.
After Ramadan ends Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr. So, when could this take place in 2023? And why are there two Eids?
Let’s find out.
When is Eid al-Fitr in 2023 expected?
Eid al-Fitr literally translated means ‘holiday of breaking the fast’ and marks the end of a month of fasting.
In 2023, it will take place on the evening of either Friday, April 21 or Saturday, April 22.
Like the start of Ramadan, the date of Eid al-fitr is determined by a moon sighting and religious leaders look out for a new moon, which signals the start of the celebration.
During Eid, Muslims say to each other ‘Eid Mubarak’ which is Arabic for ‘Blessed Eid’.
As the celebration comes after a month of fasting, lots of food is eaten during the celebration, most notably sweet foods.
Muslims also often decorate their homes and invite families and friends over for the occasion.
In many Muslim countries, Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday.
Why are there two Eids?
In the Islamic calendar, Eid occurs twice a year – this is because ‘Eid’ is just the word to describe a Muslim festival.
Eid al-Fitr is the first and smallest of the two celebrations.
Then, later in the year, Eid al-Adha occurs which translates to ‘feast of the scarifice’.
This holiday honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in God’s name.
God gave Ibrahim a lamb to kill in place of his son due to his willingness to sacrifice him, therefore during Eid al-Adha, animals are ritually sacrificed.
Part of the meat from the animal is eaten by the family who offered it and the rest is given to the poor.
Eid al-Adha is a four day celebration during which sweets and gifts are exchanged and families come together.
This year it is predicted to take place from June 28 – July 2, but again, this depends on moon sightings.
Ramadan 2023 London times and dates
- Sunday, April 9: 4.45am, 7.49pm
- Monday, April 10: 4.42am, 7.51pm
- Tuesday, April 11: 4.40am, 7.52pm
- Wednesday, April 12: 4.38am, 7.54pm
- Thursday, April 13: 4.36am, 7.56pm
- Friday, April 14: 4.34am, 7.57pm
- Saturday, April 15: 4.31am, 7.59pm
- Sunday, April 16: 4.29am, 8.01pm
- Monday, April 17: 4.27am, 8.02pm
- Tuesday, April 18: 4.24am, 8.04pm
- Wednesday, April 19: 4.22am, 8.06pm
- Thursday, April 20: 4.20am, 8.07pm
- Friday, April 21: 4.17am, 8.09pm.
MORE : London’s first ever Ramadan lights are switched on
MORE : Five tips for how to sleep better during Ramadan
MORE : Adidas team up with Muslim hiking group this Ramadan to make the countryside more inclusive
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
