12 March 2024 , 11:47
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The holy month of Ramadan has finally begun, and Muslims worldwide will be undertaking a period of fasting, devotion, reflection and self-improvement.
The month of Ramadan is the holiest month of the and marks the time when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims around the world mark the occasion by fasting during daylight hours. To get the most out of the fasting month, Muslims gather in prayer, Quranic reading and mindfulness.
Ramadan is an essential part of the Islamic faith, and is believed to be the month whereby the Holy Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, not the Gregorian calendar, and Ramadan ends either after sighting the new crescent moon that indicates the arrival of the 10th month or after Ramadan's 30th day.
Ramadan is celebrated in different ways worldwide to honour the special occasion, ranging from Iftar gatherings (Iftar - the opening of one's fast) to putting up household decorations and eating traditional foods. But how should you greet someone who observes the holy month?
Ramadan is celebrated in different ways worldwide to honour the special occasion (Getty Images)Muslims tend to wish their fellow observers 'Ramadan Mubarak' at the beginning of the holy month and for the duration of the fasting period. 'Ramadan Mubarak' is a familiar saying to many Muslims around the globe and it means 'Blessed Ramadan'.
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Another used phrase is 'Ramadan Kareem' which translates to 'Generous Ramadan'. This phrase is less commonly said but can be used as a form of greeting in a similar way to "Ramadan Mubarak", which can also describe Ramadan when referring to it in a wider context.
These are some of the ways in which many Muslims welcome the fasting month between family, friends and neighbours. In addition, 'Ramzan' is a Parsi word which has Persian roots and tends to be used around the globe in countries such as India and Pakistan. If you have Muslim colleagues, friends or neighbours, the easiest way to wish them a 'Happy Ramadan' is by saying ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ or ‘Ramadan Kareem’ .