Ramadan 2023 to start on Thursday in Saudi Arabia
Mark your calendars…
It’s that time of year again. Ramadan is almost here, and the one question on everyone’s mind is when exactly will Ramadan 2023 start.
Ramadan 2023 will begin on Thursday March 23, meaning that the first suhoor will be tomorrow (Wednesday March 22)
The Holy Month of Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and is the ninth month of the Hijri year. Moving back nearly 10 days each year, Ramadan is typically 29 or 30 days long (depending on the sighting of the moon) and is then followed by a public holiday, Eid Al Fitr.
Everything about Ramadan
Ramadan is the holiest time of year in the Islamic calendar. During the month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking, and smoking between the Fajr prayer (dawn) and the Maghrib prayer (dusk/sunset). Fasting is one of the five main pillars of Islam, the other ones include the profession of faith (shahada), Prayer, Zakat, and Hajj.
The act of fasting is done to remind Muslims of the less fortunate, reflect on their Deen, cleanse past sins, and attempt to do as many good deeds as possible.
During the month, special prayers are also performed after the Isha prayer called the Tarawih prayers. The prayers involve reciting large portions of the Holy Qur’an (each evening 1/30th part of the holy book is recited) in the many rakahs (parts of the prayer).
It also marks the first time the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
When is Eid Al-Fitr 2023?
Ramadan is always followed by Eid Al-Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking of the Fast.’ It is one of two official holidays celebrated in Islam.
Eid Al Fitr 2023 is from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, which on the Gregorian calendar corresponds to Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23. This, however, is dependent on the sighting of the moon.
Eid Al-Fitr 2023 is expected to fall on Friday April 21, and we’re likely to have a four-day weekend, from Friday April 21 to Monday April 24.
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