Muslims across the globe celebrate the end of Ramadan top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a period of time when Muslims observe a month of fasting and dedicate more time to reading the Koran. Between sunrise and sunset, Muslims abstain from food and drink, the physical ritual allows them to understand the suffering of others. Fasting during Ramadan is the fourth of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, good deeds and spending time with family and friends. During the festival, Muslims exchanges Ramadan greetings by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” which roughly translates to mean “Happy Ramadan.” “Ramadan Kareem” translates into “Have a generous Ramadan.” The month of Ramadan lasts for 29 to 30 days each year depending on the sighting of the moon. The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar and so Ramadan changes every year. Getty Ramadan 2018: What is Ramadan? What does Ramadan Mubarak mean? Getty Ramadan 2018: Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during Ramadan For the next decade, Ramadan will fall in the spring and summer months in the UK with long hours of fasting, between 16 to 20 hours. Muslims will eat just two meals per day during Ramadan: ‘Suhoor’, the meal before dawn at the beginning of the fast and ‘Iftar’, the meal at sunset to mark the end of the fast. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims, however there are some exemptions, including children, elderly, those who are sick, pregnant, breastfeeding and menstruating women and those who are travelling long distances. For those who are too ill during Ramadan, they are expected to make up for every day of missed fasting at a later day. Muslims must also refrain from smoking and engaging in sexual activities, as well as gossip, fighting and lying. Getty Ramadan 2018: Muslims are encouraged to read the Koran once during the holy month Eid al-Fitr 2017: The most stunning pictures from around the world Sun, June 25, 2017 Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today (Sunday June 25, 2017) in the UK, Europe, America and Muslim countries where the new new moon crescent was sighted last night Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 14 Egyptians try to catch balloons after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Cairo<doc-sep>Muslims around the globe are observing Ramadan, a month of religious reflection and fasting that takes place every year and many will be wondering about the intricacies of the period. One of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan commemorates the Quran first being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad; a moment honoured with abstinence from food and water, cigarettes and sexual activity during daylight hours. But for British Muslims across the country, Ramadan also means being asked the same silly questions about fasting by well-intentioned but clueless friends and colleagues. Non-Muslims have an uncanny knack for reacting awkwardly when they hear that someone sat next to them is fasting and are prone to wildly over-apologising for slights, gaffes and insensitivities they often haven’t actually committed, making matters worse when all they needed to do was chill out. The Independent’s Shehab Khan, who is observing Ramadan, is here to clear up some popular misconceptions. So why does Ramadan fall on a different date every year? The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar and the date of Ramadan therefore shifts each year. The start and end date of Ramadan, which marks the celebration of Eid, is meanwhile determined by the sighting of the moon. How do you know when sunset is? The best way for Muslims to check the precise timing is with their local mosque. Or, you know, just google it. Jokes aside, this is actually a good question. The sun sets at marginally different times across the country – a minute later in Newcastle than in Sunderland and a whole half an hour earlier in London than Edinburgh. This is important because breaking the fast even a minute too early could render the day invalid, so it’s vital for hungry families who are counting down the minutes to know precisely when the moment comes. Aren’t there health risks to consider? Fasting is not supposed to hinder your health, so anyone with a pre-existing medical condition likely to fall ill as a result of the fast is not expected to adhere to it. It is for this reason that children, those on prescription medicines, the infirm and elderly, pregnant women and those on their period are not required to participate. But you can’t eat at all? Not between the hours of sunrise and sunset, no sir. What really? All day? Yeah all day. Nothing at all. Zilch. Zero. Just that sweet oxygen. But you must have had a massive feast beforehand, right? It’s common for Muslims to treat themselves to a few farewell rounds of their favourite dishes before Ramadan begins but, after that, it’s very much a matter of personal preference. Some go for soups, salad and dates while others are partial to samosas and kebabs. Those who indulge with a hearty blowout are setting themselves up for a much worse bout of hunger the next day so many prefer to eat moderately. Overdoing it with hot or salty foods, meanwhile, can leave you badly dehydrated and given that you can’t drink water the following day... What, you can’t even drink water? That’s the idea. Don’t you get thirsty? Yes... Can I eat in front of you? Absolutely not. There’s a strong expectation that all non-Muslims must refrain from eating in the company of a fasting Muslim. Doing otherwise is regarded as grossly offensive and insensitive. Really? Oh yes. Every time a non-Muslim eats during Ramadan, a fairy dies of sadness and then bursts into flames. Is brushing your teeth allowed? This is a contentious issue but some say as long as you’re not actually devouring Colgate by the tube, it’s fine. However some devout Muslims feel uneasy about the practice and prefer to brush with a finely-fibred miswak twig instead. Can you swallow your own saliva? Don’t be an idiot. How about alcohol? See above. In pictures: Ramadan around the world Show all 27 1 /27 In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world Russia Russian Muslims pray outside the central mosque in Moscow, during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Turkey Turkish Muslims offer Eid al Fitr prayers as they mark the first day of the Eid al-Fitr at Fatih Sultan Mosque in Istanbul Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria A Syrian Dervish dances as part of a traditional event organised by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism under the title 'Music and Dervishes' in the old city of Damascus EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Bosnia and Herzegovina A Bosnian Muslim man, wearing a traditional Bosnian outfit, fires a canon from a vantage point overlooking Sarajevo to mark the end of daily fasting on the final day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A general view of an illuminated Mosque as Muslims pray during the 27th night of Ramadan, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan Muslim women offer prayer of the Jumat-ul-wida, the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Lahore AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Muslims offer prayers on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Rex Features In pictures: Ramadan around the world Saudi Arabia The Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the holy city of Medina, during Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Malaysia A Malaysian swings around fireworks to celebrate the last day of the Muslims' Holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur In pictures: Ramadan around the world Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Muslims pray during the Eid al-Fitr Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan in Bishkek EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Ivory Coast People pray during the Laylat Al Qadr prayers on the 27th day of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan in the front of the Aghin mosque in Abidjan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria Syrians shop for traditional sweets in Kafr Batna in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, ahead of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian woman prays on the third Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City REUTERS In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iran Iranian Shiite Muslims pray at the graves of soldiers who were killed during 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, at the Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, just outside Tehran, Iran AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian man pours water on Muslim worshippers' heads to cool off in the heat, as others pray outside the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the last Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Afghanistan Afghan women wait to receive food ration during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A Pakistani Muslim reads the holy Koran as he observes Itikaf at a Mosque, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Kashmiri Muslim women offer prayers as the head priest (not pictured) displays a holy relic believed to be hair from the beard of the Prophet Mohammed, during special prayers to observe the Martyr Day of Hazrat Ali, cousin of Prophet Mohammed, on the 21st day of Ramadan, at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Indian Muslims sit with bowls of porridge(Nombu kanji)as they prepare to break the fast with the Iftar meal during the Islamic month of Ramadan at The Wallajah Big Mosque in Chennai AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Spectators watch fireworks as a giant Fanous, or Ramadan lantern, is switched on four days before the start of Ramadan month in front of Mohamed al-Amine Mosque in downtown Beirut EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Lebanese children perform during activities celebrating the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in downtown Beirut AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Palestine Palestinian men drink tea on the promenade of Gaza beach Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Members of Nahdlatul Ulama, the biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, hold a mass prayer session to welcome in Ramadan in Jakarta AFP/Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iraq Iraqis shop for food in a preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Foods is seen during 'Unggah-unggahan' ceremony to welcome in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Pekuncen village Getty At least you’ll lose weight, right? In the short term, yes, you might do, depending on how much you consume in the evenings. But given that your metabolism quickly adjusts to your calorie intake, you will quickly put the pounds back on afterwards when you return to your usual dietary regime. Looking beach-ready is not really the main goal of this solemn observance anyway. Its true purpose is to bring followers closer to Allah and prompt a re-evaluation of yourself as a Muslim.<doc-sep>
A community iftar meal traditionally held during Ramadan has this year been opened to members of the public. Taste Ramadan is an invitation to "share food and share friendship" and will take place at St Edburgha's Church Hall in Church Road, Yardley, on Saturday, June 2. It's on from 8pm to 10pm, and includes iftar - the meal at the end of each day's fasting in the month of Ramadan. The free event has been organised by Qamar Abbas, president of UK Islamic Mission Solihull, and his team. He will also speak at the event, along with Idrees Sharif, vice president of UK Islamic Mission Midlands. Confirmed attendees are councillors Babar Baz and Neil Eustace, West Midlands Police and representatives of several local churches including Stechford Baptist Church, All Saints Stechford and Corpus Christi RC Church. (Image: Darren Quinton) Mohammed Yasin, chairman of Stechford Mosque, some of whose congregation helped put together the event, said: "We have people from all religions and communities coming together to share an iftar meal and more. "This is the first community iftar we have held in a church rather than a mosque and the first one we have opened up to the public. We hope to see people there from all walks of life." He added: "This is a male-only event and the church has a capacity of 100 people." What is iftar? (Image: PA) During the month of Ramadan, worshippers fast each day from early in the morning until sunset. A meal called suhoor is eaten before fasting begins and a meal called iftar is eaten whe fasting ends in the evening. During the rest of the day, Muslims must abstain from food, drink, smoking, sexual activity and all 'sinful behaviour' including swearing, insults and telling lies. The NHS says the fasts of Ramadan can improve a person’s health but - if the correct diet is not followed - could make it worse. The diet should be simple and not differ too much from a person’s normal everyday diet. It should contain foods from all the major food groups - fruit and vegetables; bread, cereal and potatoes; meat, fish and alternatives; milk and dairy foods; foods containing fat; foods containing sugar. (Image: Loughborough Echo) Complex carbohydrates will help release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. They are found in grains and seeds, such as barley, wheat, oats, millets, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour and basmati rice. Fibre-rich foods are also digested slowly and include bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the skin kept on, vegetables such as green beans and almost all fruit including apricots, prunes and figs. Foods to avoid are heavily-processed, fast-burning foods that contain refined carbohydrates in the form of sugar, white flour, etc. as well as too much fatty food (e.g. cakes, biscuits, chocolates and sweets, such as Indian Mithai). It may also be worth avoiding the caffeine content in drinks such as tea, coffee and cola. Caffeine is a diuretic and stimulates faster water loss through urination. Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, should be a wholesome, moderate meal that is filling and provides enough energy for many hours. It is therefore particularly important to include slowly-digesting foods in the suhoor. Iftar is the meal which breaks the day’s fast. This meal could include dates, following the Prophetic traditions. Dates will provide a refreshing burst of much-needed energy. Fruit juices will also have a similar revitalising effect. The meal should remain a meal and not become a feast. Try to minimise the rich, special dishes that traditionally celebrate the fast and keep to the advice above. What's happening next in Ramadan? Ramadan is divided into three 10-day stages, each called an ashra. The final 10 days begins on Tuesday, June 5. This third ashra is called Nijaat, meaning 'salvation.' Many Muslims take part in the practice of Itikaf, which means staying in the mosque for several days for the sole purpose of worshipping Allah (God). Itikaf means seclusion and provides an opportunity to the believer to get closer to Allah by temporarily freeing themselves and their mind from the activities and worries of the world. For men, Itikaf is to be held only in a mosque where congregation prayers are held. Women can allocate a quite room in a house. The Itikaf will be observed across all of Birmingham's mosques. These last ten days of Ramadan are very significant as they are also when Laylat al-Qadr takes place. When does Ramadan end?