Ramadan - wikipedia Ramadan This article is about religious observances during the month of Ramadan. For the actual calendar month, see Ramadan ( calendar month ). For other uses, see Ramadan ( disambiguation ). رمضان Ramadan A crescent moon can be seen over palm trees at Manama, marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Ramadan in Bahrain Observed by Muslims Type Religious Celebrations Community iftars and Community prayers Observances sawm ( fasting ) zakat and sadaqah ( alms giving ) taraweeh prayer ( Sunni Muslims ) Commemorating Nights of al - Qadr ( Shia and Sunni Muslims ) reading the Quran abstaining from all bad deeds and staying humble Begins 1 Ramadan Ends 29 or 30 Ramadan Date Variable ( follows the Islamic lunar calendar ) 2017 date 27 May -- 24 June ( Umm al - Qura ) 2018 date 17 May -- 14 June 2019 date 6 May -- 3 June Frequency every year ( lunar calendar ) Related to Eid al - Fitr, Laylat al - Qadr Ramadan ( / ˌræməˈdɑːn / ; Arabic : رمضان ‎ Ramaḍān, IPA : ( ramaˈdʕaːn ) ; also known as Ramazan, romanized as Ramzan, Ramadhan, or Ramathan ) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting ( Sawm ) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29 -- 30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar - ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is fard ( obligatory ) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, chronically ill or menstruating. Fasting the month of Ramadan was made obligatory ( wājib ) during the month of Sha'ban, in the second year after the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Medina. Fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a natural phenomenon such as the midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca, but the more commonly accepted opinion is that Muslims in those areas should follow the timetable of the closest country to them in which night can be distinguished from day. While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech ( insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc. ) and fighting except in self - defense. Pre-fast meals before dawn are referred to as Suhoor, while the post-fast breaking feasts after sunset are called Iftar. Spiritual rewards ( thawab ) for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat ( prayers ), recitation of the Quran and an increase of doing good deeds and charity. Contents 1 History 2 Important dates 2.1 Beginning 2.2 Night of Power 2.3 End 3 Religious practices 3.1 Fasting 3.1. 1 Suhur 3.1. 2 Iftar 3.2 Charity 3.3 Nightly prayers 3.4 Recitation of the Quran 4 Cultural practices 5 Observance rates 6 Laws 7 Health 8 Crime rates 9 Ramadan in polar regions 10 Employment during Ramadan 11 See also 12 Notes 13 References 14 External links History Chapter 2, Verse 185 in Arabic. Chapter 2, Verse 185, of the Quran states : The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran ; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion ( of right and wrong ). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease ; He desires not hardship for you ; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful. It is believed that the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan which has been referred to as the `` best of times ''. The first revelation was sent down on Laylat al - Qadr ( The night of Power ) which is one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. According to hadith, all holy scriptures were sent down during Ramadan. It is further believed that the tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 24th Ramadan respectively. According to the Quran, fasting was also obligatory for prior nations, and is a way to attain taqwa, fear of God. God proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to the oneness of God. The pagans of Mecca also fasted, but only on tenth day of Muharram to expiate sins and avoid droughts. The ruling to observe fasting during Ramadan was sent down 18 months after Hijra, during the month of Sha'ban in the second year of Hijra in 624 CE. Abu Zanad, an Arabic writer from Iraq who lived after the founding of Islam, in around 747 CE, wrote that at least one Mandaean community located in al - Jazira ( modern northern Iraq ) observed Ramadan before converting to Islam. According to historian Philip Jenkins, Ramadan comes `` from the strict Lenten discipline of the Syrian Churches '', a postulation corroborated by other scholars, such as the theologian Paul - Gordon Chandler. This suggestion is based on the Orientalist idea that the Quran itself has Syriac Christian origins, a claim to which some Muslim academics such as M. Al - Azami, object. With professional athletes sharing their experiences of fasting during this religious period, Ramadan is more in the public eye than ever before - and while tradition, culture and religion remain at the forefront, more and more Muslims are finding ways to fit their lifestyle around their faith. Important dates The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar. Beginning Ramadan beginning dates between Gregorian years 1938 and 2038. Hilāl ( the crescent ) is typically a day ( or more ) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon marks the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan. However, to many Muslims, this is not in accordance with authenticated Hadiths stating that visual confirmation per region is recommended. The consistent variations of a day have existed since the time of Muhammad. Night of power Main article : Laylat al - Qadr The Arabic Laylat al - Qadr, translated to English is `` the night of power '' or `` the night of decree '', is considered the holiest night of the year. This is the night in which Muslims believe the first revelation of the Quran was sent down to Muhammad stating that this night was `` better than one thousand months ( of proper worship ) '', as stated in Chapter 97 : 3 of the Qu'ran. Also, generally, Laylat al - Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd - numbered night during the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e., the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. The Dawoodi Bohra Community believe that the 23rd night is laylat al Qadr. End Main articles : Eid al - Fitr and Eid prayers The holiday of Eid al - Fitr ( Arabic : عيد الفطر ) marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the next lunar month, Shawwal. This first day of the following month is declared after another crescent new moon has been sighted or the completion of 30 days of fasting if no visual sighting is possible due to weather conditions. This first day of Shawwal is called Eid al - Fitr. Eid al - Fitr may also be a reference towards the festive nature of having endured the month of fasting successfully and returning to the more natural disposition ( fitra ) of being able to eat, drink and resume intimacy with spouses during the day. Religious Practices Azim Azimzade. Ramadan of the poor people. 1938 The common practice during Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the iftar. Muslims also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadan. Ramadan is also a month where Muslims try to practice increased self - discipline. This is motivated by the Hadith, especially in Al - Bukhari and Muslim, that `` When Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked up and devils are put in chains. '' Fasting Main article : Fasting during Ramadan Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast ( sawm ) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims also increase restraint, such as abstaining from sexual relations and generally sinful speech and behavior. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self - discipline, self - control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate ; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity ( zakat ). It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy and sane, and have no disabilities or illnesses. Many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Exemptions to fasting are travel, menstruation, severe illness, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, many Muslims with medical conditions insist on fasting to satisfy their spiritual needs, although it is not recommended by the hadith. Professionals should closely monitor such individuals who decide to persist with fasting. Those who were unable to fast still must make up the days missed later. Suhur Main article : Suhur Iftar at Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the suhur. After stopping a short time before dawn, Muslims begin the first prayer of the day, Fajr. Iftar Main article : Iftar At sunset, families hasten for the fast - breaking meal known as iftar. Dates are usually the first food to break the fast ; according to tradition, Muhammad broke fast with three dates. Following that, Muslims generally adjourn for the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served. Social gatherings, many times in a buffet style, are frequent at iftar. Traditional dishes are often highlighted, including traditional desserts, and particularly those made only during Ramadan. Water is usually the beverage of choice, but juice and milk are also often available, as are soft drinks and caffeinated beverages. In the Middle East, the iftar meal consists of water, juices, dates, salads and appetizers, one or more main dishes, and various kinds of desserts. Usually, the dessert is the most important part during iftar. Typical main dishes are lamb stewed with wheat berries, lamb kebabs with grilled vegetables, or roast chicken served with chickpea - studded rice pilaf. A rich dessert, such as luqaimat, baklava or kunafeh ( a buttery, syrup - sweetened kadaifi noodle pastry filled with cheese ), concludes the meal. Over time, iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at masjid or banquet halls for 100 or more diners. Charity Main articles : Zakāt and Sadaqah Men praying during Ramadan at the Shrine of Ali or `` Blue Mosque '' in Mazar - i - Sharif, Afghanistan Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. Zakāt, often translated as `` the poor - rate '', is obligatory as one of the pillars of Islam ; a fixed percentage of the person 's savings is required to be given to the poor. Sadaqah is voluntary charity in giving above and beyond what is required from the obligation of zakāt. In Islam, all good deeds are more handsomely rewarded during Ramadan than in any other month of the year. Consequently, many will choose this time to give a larger portion, if not all, of the zakāt that they are obligated to give. In addition, many will also use this time to give a larger portion of sadaqah in order to maximize the reward that will await them at the Last Judgment. Nightly prayers Main article : Tarawih Tarawih ( Arabic : تراويح ‎ ) refers to extra prayers performed by Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan. Contrary to popular belief, they are not compulsory. However, many Muslims pray these prayers in the evening during Ramadan. Some scholars maintain that Tarawih is neither fard or a Sunnah, but is the preponed Tahajjud ( night prayer ) prayer shifted to post-Isha ' for the ease of believers. But a majority of Sunni scholars regard the Tarawih prayers as Sunnat al - Mu'akkadah, a salaat that was performed by the Islamic prophet Muhammad very consistently. Recitation of the Quran In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih. These voluntary prayers are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Quran ( juz ', which is 1 / 30 of the Quran ) is recited. Therefore, the entire Quran would be completed at the end of the month. Although it is not required to read the whole Quran in the Tarawih prayers, it is common. Cultural Practices Striking the bedug in Indonesia Fanous Ramadan decorations in Cairo, Egypt Crescent is colourfully decorated and beautifully illuminated during Ramadan in Jordan Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem In some Muslim countries today, lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. Lanterns have become symbolic decorations welcoming the month of Ramadan. In a growing number of countries, they are hung on city streets. The tradition of lanterns as a decoration becoming associated with Ramadan is believed to have originated during the Fatimid Caliphate primarily centered in Egypt, where Caliph al - Mu'izz li - Din Allah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time, lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the capital city of Cairo. Shopping malls, places of business, and people 's homes can be seen with stars and crescents and various lighting effects, as well. As the nation with the world 's largest Muslim population, Indonesia has diverse Ramadan traditions. On the island of Java, many Javanese Indonesians bathe in holy springs to prepare for fasting, a ritual known as Padusan. The city of Semarang marks the beginning of Ramadan with the Dugderan carnival, which involves parading the Warak ngendog, a horse - dragon hybrid creature allegedly inspired by the Buraq. In the Chinese - influenced capital city of Jakarta, fire crackers were traditionally used to wake people up for morning prayer, until the 19th century. Towards the end of Ramadan, most employees receive a one - month bonus known as Tunjangan Hari Raya. Certain kinds of food are especially popular during Ramadan, such as beef in Aceh, and snails in Central Java. The iftar meal is announced every evening by striking the bedug, a giant drum, in the mosque. Common greetings during Ramadan are `` Ramadan Mubarak '' or `` Ramadan Kareem '', which wish the recipient a blessed or generous Ramadan. Observance rates According to a 2012 Pew Research Centre study of 39 countries and territories, there is widespread Ramadan observance, with a median of 93 %. Regions with high percentages of fasting among Muslims include Southeast Asia, South Asia, MENA and most of Sub-Saharan Africa. Percentages are lower in Central Asia and Southeast Europe. According to The Economist, relatively few Iranians are believed to fast during Ramadan. Laws In some Muslim countries, failing to fast during Ramadan is considered a crime and is prosecuted as such. For instance, in Algeria, in October 2008 the court of Biskra condemned six people to four years in prison and heavy fines. In Kuwait, according to law number 44 of 1968, the penalty is a fine of no more than 100 Kuwaiti dinars, ( about US $330, GB £ 260 in May 2017 ) or jail for no more than one month, or both penalties, for those seen eating, drinking or smoking during Ramadan daytime. In some places in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ), eating or drinking in public during the daytime of Ramadan is considered a minor offence and would be punished by up to 150 hours of community service. In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, described by The Economist as taking Ramadan `` more seriously than anywhere else '', there are harsher punishments including flogging, imprisonment and, for foreigners, deportation. In Malaysia, however, there are no such punishments. Some countries have laws that amend work schedules during Ramadan. Under UAE labor law, the maximum working hours are to be six hours per day and 36 hours per week. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait have similar laws. In Egypt, alcohol sales are banned during Ramadan. Health Ramadan fasting is safe for healthy people, but those with medical conditions should seek medical advice if they were to encounter health problems before or during fasting. The fasting period is usually associated with modest weight loss, but weight can return afterwards. The education departments of Berlin and the United Kingdom have tried to discourage students from fasting during Ramadan, as they claim that not eating or drinking can lead to concentration problems and bad grades, according to their own research. A review of the literature by an Iranian group suggested fasting during Ramadan might produce renal injury in patients with moderate ( GFR < 60 ml / min ) or worse kidney disease, but was not injurious to renal transplant patients with good function or most stone - forming patients. Crime rates The correlation of Ramadan with crime rates is mixed : some statistics show that crime rates drop during Ramadan, while others show that it rises. Decreases in crime rates have been reported by the police in some cities in Turkey ( Istanbul and Konya ) and the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A 2012 study showed that crime rates decreased in Iran during Ramadan, and that the decrease was statistically significant. A 2005 study found that there was a decrease in assault, robbery and alcohol - related crimes during Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, but only the decrease in alcohol - related crimes was statistically significant. Increases in crime rates during Ramadan have been reported in Turkey, Jakarta, parts of Algeria, Yemen and Egypt. Various mechanisms have been proposed for the effect of Ramadan on crime : An Iranian cleric argues that fasting during Ramadan makes people less likely to commit crimes due to spiritual reasons. Gamal al - Banna argues that fasting can stress people out, which can make them more likely to commit crimes. He criticized Muslims who commit crimes while fasting during Ramadan as `` fake and superficial ''. Police in Saudi Arabia attributed a drop in crime rates to the `` spiritual mood prevalent in the country ''. In Jakarta, Indonesia, police say that the traffic due to 7 million people leaving the city to celebrate Eid al - Fitr results in an increase in street crime. As a result, police deploy an additional 7,500 personnel. During Ramadan, millions of pilgrims enter Saudi Arabia to visit Mecca. According to the Yemen Times, such pilgrims are usually charitable, and consequently smugglers traffic children in from Yemen to beg on the streets of Saudi Arabia. Ramadan in polar regions During 2010 Middle East negotiations in the United States, Hosni Mubarak and Benjamin Netanyahu check their watches to see if the sun has set. The length of the dawn to sunset time varies in different parts of the world according to summer or winter solstices of the sun. Most Muslims fast for 11 -- 16 hours during Ramadan. However, in polar regions, the period between dawn and sunset may exceed 22 hours in summers. For example, in 2014, Muslims in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Trondheim, Norway, fasted almost 22 hours, while Muslims in Sydney, Australia, fasted for only about 11 hours. Muslims in areas where continuous night or day is observed during Ramadan follow the fasting hours in the nearest city where fasting is observed at dawn and sunset. Alternatively, Muslims may follow Mecca time. Employment during Ramadan Muslims will continue to work during Ramadan. The prophet Muhammad said that it is important to keep a balance between worship and work. In some Muslim countries, such as Oman, however, working hours are shortened during Ramadan. It is often recommended that working Muslims inform their employers if they are fasting, given the potential for the observance to impact performance at work. The extent to which Ramadan observers are protected by religious accommodation varies by country. Policies putting them at a disadvantage compared to other employees have been met with discrimination claims in the United Kingdom and the United States. See also Islam portal Fasting Five Pillars of Islam Notes Jump up ^ In Arabic phonology, it can be ( rɑmɑˈdʕɑːn, ramadʕɑːn, ræmæˈdʕɑːn ), depending on the region. Jump up ^ The hadith of Jabir ibn Abdullah mentions that the Gospel was sent down on the 18th of Ramadan. References ^ Jump up to : `` The Umm al - Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia ''. Retrieved 7 March 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Ramadan to start May 27 or May 28 ''. aljazeera.com/. Retrieved 27 April 2017. Jump up ^ BBC -- Religions Retrieved 25 July 2012 Jump up ^ `` Muslims worldwide start to observe Ramadan ''. 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Jump up ^ Emami - Naini A, Roomizadeh P, Baradaran A, Abedini A, Abtahi M ( August 2013 ). `` Ramadan fasting and patients with renal diseases : A mini review of the literature ''. J Res Med Sci. Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. 18 ( 8 ) : 711 -- 716. ISSN 1735 - 1995. PMC 3872613. PMID 24379850. Jump up ^ `` Crime rate falls during Ramadan ''. Today 's Zaman. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` Crime rate drops over Ramadan ''. Turkish Daily News. 16 November 2002. Retrieved 24 June 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Eastern Province crime falls 40 % during Ramadan ''. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2014. Jump up ^ Tavakoli, Nasrin ( 2012 ), `` Effect of spirituality on decreasing crimes and social damages : A case study on Ramadan '' ( PDF ), International Research Journal of Applied and Basic Sciences : 518 -- 524 Jump up ^ `` The effect of Ramadan on crime rates in Saudi Arabia, Hattab Ben Thawab Al - Sobaye '' ( PDF ). Naif Arab University for Social Sciences, Thesis publication. 23 March 2011. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` 129 women killed in six months in Turkey, lawmaker says ''. Hurriyet Daily News. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` Crime rates increase during Ramadhan ''. Jakarta Post. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` 4 Gold Shop Robbers Killed, 2 Caught During Police Raids Across the City ''. Jakarta Post. 29 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Anticipating Crime, 7,500 Policemen Put on Standby Along Ramadan ''. Department of Communication, Informatics and Public Relations of Jakarta Capital City. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` Comment le Ramadhan bouleverse la vie des Algériens ''. El Watan, French. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Yemen child trafficking to increase during Ramadan ''. Yemen Times. 20 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. ^ Jump up to : `` Ramadan saw rise in violent domestic crimes ''. Daily News, Egypt. 2 November 2006. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Jump up ^ `` Ramadan and lower crime rates : The Ayatollah says that during Ramadan the number of criminal cases in the Judiciary diminish by a great degree ''. 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ramadan working hours announced in Oman ''. Times of Oman. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2016. Jump up ^ `` Ramadan working hours announced for public and private sectors ''. Times of Oman. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2016. Jump up ^ `` The Working Muslim in Ramadan '' ( PDF ). Working Muslim. 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2016. Jump up ^ Lewis Silkin ( 26 April 2016 ). `` Lewis Silkin -- Ramadan -- employment issues ''. lewissilkinemployment.com. Retrieved 1 June 2016. Jump up ^ `` Reasonable Accommodations for Ramadan ? Lessons From 2 EEOC Cases ''. Free Enterprise. Retrieved 21 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` EEOC And Electrolux Reach Settlement In Religious Accommodation Charge Brought By Muslim Employees ''. eeoc.gov. Retrieved 21 July 2015. External links Find more aboutRamadanat Wikipedia 's sister projects Definitions from Wiktionary Media from Wikimedia Commons News from Wikinews Travel guide from Wikivoyage Data from Wikidata Complete Guide to Ramadhan including Rules, Duas, Itikaaf, Laylatul Qadr, Sadaqatul Fitr etc Articles on Ramadan Ramadan Related Articles UAE Ramadan Articles & Resources Ramadan Recipes Purpose of Fasting in Islam : `` And Fast Until The Onset Of Night '' Ramadan Customs, Observance and Practices Ramadan Background Ramadan ( calendar month ) Fasting during Ramadan Zakat al - Fitr Fidyah and Kaffara Meals Suhur ( before sunrise ) Iftar ( after sunset ) Prayers and observances Tarawih Iʿtikāf Laylat al - Qadr Jumu'atul - Wida Laylat al - Jaiza Eid al - Fitr Ramadan culture Date ( fruit ) Chaand Raat Fanous Fast - a-Thon Gargee'an Mheibes Ramadan tent Islamic holidays and observances The two Eids Eid al - Fitr Eid al - Adha Other holidays and observances Day of Arafah Day of Ashura Islamic New Year Arba'een Mawlid Laylat al - Raghaib Lailat al Miraj Mid-Sha'ban Ramadan Laylat al - Qadr Eid al - Ghadir Mubahala Promised Messiah Day Promised Reformer Day Caliphate Day Shia Muslim only Ahmadi Muslim only Holidays, observances, and celebrations in Algeria January New Year 's Day ( 1 ) Yennayer ( 12 ) February Valentine 's Day ( 14 ) Tafsut ( 28 ) March International Women 's Day ( 8 ) Victory Day ( 19 ) World Water Day ( 22 ) Maghrebi Blood Donation Day ( 30 ) Spring vacation ( 2 last weeks ) April April Fools ' Day ( 1 ) Knowledge Day ( 16 ) Berber Spring ( 20 ) Earth Day ( 22 ) Election Day ( Thursday ) May International Workers ' Day ( 1 ) World Press Freedom Day ( 3 ) Mother 's Day ( last Sunday ) June -- July -- August Summer vacation ( varies ) June Children 's Day ( 1 ) Father 's Day ( 21 ) July Independence Day ( 5 ) September International Day of Peace ( 21 ) October International Day of Non-Violence ( 2 ) Halloween ( 31 ) November Revolution Day ( 1 ) December Christmas Eve ( 24 ) Christmas ( 25 ) New Year 's Eve ( 31 ) Winter vacation ( 2 last weeks ) Varies ( year round ) Hijri New Year 's Day ( Muharram 1 ) Ashura ( Muharram 10 ) Mawlid ( Rabi ' al - Awwal 12 ) Ramadan ( Ramadan 1 ) Laylat al - Qadr ( Ramadan 27 ) Eid al - Fitr ( Shawwal 1 ) Day of Arafah ( Dhu al - Hijjah 9 ) Eid al - Adha ( Dhu al - Hijjah 10 ) Holi ( varies ) Bold indicates major holidays commonly celebrated in Algeria, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also : Lists of holidays. Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States January New Year 's Day ( federal ) Martin Luther King Jr. Day ( federal ) Confederate Heroes Day ( TX ) Fred Korematsu Day ( CA, FL, HI, VA ) Idaho Human Rights Day ( ID ) Inauguration Day ( federal quadrennial, DC area ) Kansas Day ( KS ) Lee -- Jackson Day ( formerly Lee -- Jackson -- King Day ) ( VA ) Robert E. Lee Day ( FL ) Stephen Foster Memorial Day ( 36 ) The Eighth ( LA ) January -- February Super Bowl Sunday February American Heart Month Black History Month Washington 's Birthday / Presidents ' Day ( federal ) Valentine 's Day Georgia Day ( GA ) Groundhog Day Lincoln 's Birthday ( CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NJ, NY, WV ) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day ( 36 ) Primary Election Day ( WI ) Ronald Reagan Day ( CA ) Rosa Parks Day ( CA, MO ) Susan B. Anthony Day ( CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal ) February -- March Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday ( religious ) Courir de Mardi Gras ( religious ) Super Tuesday March Irish - American Heritage Month National Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women 's History Month St. Patrick 's Day ( religious ) Spring break ( week ) Casimir Pulaski Day ( IL ) Cesar Chavez Day ( CA, CO, TX, proposed federal ) Evacuation Day ( Suffolk County, MA ) Harriet Tubman Day ( NY ) Holi ( NY, religious ) Mardi Gras ( AL ( in two counties ), LA ) Maryland Day ( MD ) National Poison Prevention Week ( week ) Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day ( HI ) Saint Joseph 's Day ( religious ) Seward 's Day ( AK ) Texas Independence Day ( TX ) Town Meeting Day ( VT ) March -- April Easter ( religious ) Palm Sunday ( religious ) Passover ( religious ) Good Friday ( CT, NC, PR, religious ) Easter Monday ( religious ) April Confederate History Month 420 Day April Fools ' Day Arbor Day Confederate Memorial Day ( AL, MS ) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust ( week ) Earth Day Emancipation Day ( DC ) Thomas Jefferson 's Birthday ( AL ) Pascua Florida ( FL ) Patriots ' Day ( MA, ME ) San Jacinto Day ( TX ) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night ( religious ) May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Memorial Day ( federal ) Mother 's Day ( 36 ) Cinco de Mayo Harvey Milk Day ( CA ) Law Day ( 36 ) Loyalty Day ( 36 ) Malcolm X Day ( CA, IL, proposed federal ) May Day Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer ( 36 ) National Defense Transportation Day ( 36 ) National Maritime Day ( 36 ) Peace Officers Memorial Day ( 36 ) Truman Day ( MO ) June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month Father 's Day ( 36 ) Bunker Hill Day ( Suffolk County, MA ) Carolina Day ( SC ) Emancipation Day In Texas / Juneteenth ( TX ) Flag Day ( 36, proposed federal ) Helen Keller Day ( PA ) Honor America Days ( 3 weeks ) Jefferson Davis Day ( AL, FL ) Kamehameha Day ( HI ) Odunde Festival ( Philadelphia, PA ) Senior Week ( week ) West Virginia Day ( WV ) July Independence Day ( federal ) Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea ( HI, unofficial ) Parents ' Day ( 36 ) Pioneer Day ( UT ) July -- August Summer vacation August American Family Day ( AZ ) Barack Obama Day ( IL ) Bennington Battle Day ( VT ) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day ( HI ) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day ( TX ) National Aviation Day ( 36 ) Service Reduction Day ( MD ) Victory Day ( RI ) Women 's Equality Day ( 36 ) September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Labor Day ( federal ) California Admission Day ( CA ) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ( 36 ) Constitution Day ( 36 ) Constitution Week ( week ) Defenders Day ( MD ) Gold Star Mother 's Day ( 36 ) National Grandparents Day ( 36 ) National Payroll Week ( week ) Native American Day ( CA, TN, proposed federal ) Patriot Day ( 36 ) September -- October Hispanic Heritage Month Oktoberfest Rosh Hashanah ( religious ) Yom Kippur ( religious ) October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month Columbus Day ( federal ) Halloween Alaska Day ( AK ) Child Health Day ( 36 ) General Pulaski Memorial Day German - American Day Indigenous Peoples ' Day ( VT ) International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day ( 36 ) Missouri Day ( MO ) National School Lunch Week Native American Day ( SD ) Nevada Day ( NV ) Sweetest Day White Cane Safety Day ( 36 ) October -- November Diwali ( religious ) November Native American Indian Heritage Month Veterans Day ( federal ) Thanksgiving ( federal ) Day after Thanksgiving ( 24 ) Election Day ( CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, WV, proposed federal ) Family Day ( NV ) Hanukkah ( religious ) Lā Kūʻokoʻa ( HI, unofficial ) Native American Heritage Day ( MD, WA ) Barack Obama Day ( Perry County, AL ) December Christmas ( religious, federal ) Alabama Day ( AL ) Christmas Eve ( KY, NC, SC ) Day after Christmas ( KY, NC, SC, TX ) Festivus Hanukkah ( religious, week ) Indiana Day ( IN ) Kwanzaa ( religious, week ) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ( 36 ) New Year 's Eve Pan American Aviation Day ( 36 ) Rosa Parks Day ( OH, OR ) Wright Brothers Day ( 36 ) Varies ( year round ) Eid al - Adha ( religious ) Eid al - Fitr ( religious ) Ramadan ( religious, month ) Legend : ( federal ) = federal holidays, ( state ) = state holidays, ( religious ) = religious holidays, ( week ) = weeklong holidays, ( month ) = monthlong holidays, ( 36 ) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Bold indicates major holidays commonly celebrated in the United States, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also : Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, public holidays in the United States, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ramadan&oldid=866448732 '' Categories : Ramadan Islamic holy days Islamic terminology Sawm Shia days of remembrance Hidden categories : All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from March 2018 Articles with permanently dead external links Articles containing Arabic - language text All articles with self - published sources Articles with self - published sources from January 2018 Webarchive template wayback links Articles with dead external links from April 2018 Use dmy dates from May 2018 Infobox holiday with missing field Infobox holiday ( other ) All articles with failed verification Articles with failed verification from June 2015 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2012 All articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases Articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases from July 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Wikinews Wikivoyage Afrikaans ܐܪܡܝܐ অসমীয়া Asturianu Авар Azərbaycanca বাংলা Bân - lâm - gú Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ भोजपुरी Bikol Central Български Bosanski Brezhoneg Чӑвашла Cebuano Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego ગુજરાતી 한국어 हिन्दी Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska עברית ಕನ್ನಡ ქართული कॉशुर / کٲشُر Kiswahili Кыргызча Latina Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Македонски മലയാളം مصرى مازِرونی Baso Minangkabau Монгол Nederlands नेपाली 日本 語 Нохчийн Norsk Norsk nynorsk Occitan ଓଡ଼ିଆ Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Polski Português Qaraqalpaqsha Română Русский Саха тыла संस्कृतम् Scots Shqip Simple English سنڌي Slovenčina Slovenščina Soomaaliga کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் Татарча / tatarça తెలుగు ไทย Тоҷикӣ Türkçe Тыва дыл Українська اردو Tiếng Việt Walon Winaray ייִדיש 粵語 Zazaki 中文 Bahasa Hulontalo 91 more Edit links This page was last edited on 30 October 2018, at 11 : 59 ( UTC ). 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Question: what is the importance of ramadan in islam
Answer: to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief