Ramadan 2025: Everything you need to know about the holy month

The holy month of Ramadan is a very important time in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims all over the world take part.

It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent Moon.

Because the Muslim calendar year is shorter than the 365 days of the Gregorian calendar year, Ramadan begins 10 to12 days earlier each year.

Read on to find out more about what Muslims traditionally do during this month.

What is Ramadan?

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won't eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is called fasting.

Fasting is important during Ramadan as Muslims believe it allows them to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God.

Ramadan is considered important because it is to mark when the Quran, the Muslim holy book, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

Many Muslims will try and read as much of the Quran as possible during Ramadan.

Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds, and spending time with family and friends.

Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people who need help.

When does Ramadan start and end in 2025?

Ramadan is expected to begin on 28 February and end on 30 March in 2025.

The month of Ramadan usually lasts between 29 and 30 days, depending on the cycle of the Moon.

Why does the start of Ramadan change each year?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

The date changes each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the Moon), so it isn't a fixed date in the Gregorian or solar calendar.

What is iftar and why is it important?

During Ramadan, it is common to have a meal (known as suhoor) just before dawn and another meal (known as iftar) just after sunset.

At the end of the fast - when the Sun has gone down - families and friends will get together for iftar to break their fast, often starting with water and dates.

Mosques may put on iftar events - inviting people to break their fast together.

Can kids take part in Ramadan fasting?

Not everybody fasts during Ramadan - only those who are considered fit and healthy enough choose to fast.

Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are ill don't have to.

Muslim children are usually expected to fast by the time they reach puberty.

How else is Ramadan observed?

Throughout Ramadan, adults are expected to do acts of charity - this is part of Zakat.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include Salat (prayer), Hajj (pilgrimage), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Shahadah (a declaration of faith).

Lots of Muslims may choose to go to their mosque every day for prayers and to hear the Quran read by their Imam.

The whole of the Quran is read at mosque over the month of Ramadan.

Observers may choose to read the whole of the Quran at home as well.

What happens at the end of Ramadan?

At the end of Ramadan, there is a special festival called Eid al-Fitr, which means the festival of the breaking of the fast.

It begins when the new Moon is seen in the sky.

Many Muslims will attend Eid prayers at their mosque.

Children are sometimes given presents and new clothes.

How is Ramadan observed differently around the world?

Children in Malaysia are given envelopes of money at the festival of Hari Raya

In Singapore and Malaysia, a lightly spiced rice pudding called bubur lambuk is eaten at the breaking of the fast during Ramadan.

In Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia Eid is called Hari Raya.

Muslims who celebrate Hari Raya often give money in green envelopes to children and guests who visit their homes.

During Eid, one of the most common things you'll hear people say to one another is "Eid Mubarak!"

This means "blessed Eid", and is a way of expressing celebration.

You might also hear "Eid sa'id" which means "happy Eid".

Other countries have different greetings though.

In Nigeria, people are likely to say "Balla da Sallah", which is the Hausa for happy Eid.

In Malaysia to wish someone a happy Eid, you would say "Selamat Hari Raya".