Of the 7.6 billion people in the world, 1.8 billion fast from sunup to sundown during a period called Ramadan. Every year, Muslims fast each day of Ramadan from dawn until dusk, for the duration of the month. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin in the evening on Friday, February 28, 2025 and end on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims. It is the month in which it is believed that the Holy Qur'an was sent down from heaven "as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation."
During this month, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours. Fasting is a private act of worship bringing about nearness to God, as well as a form of spiritual discipline and a means to empathize with those less fortunate. The fast is broken at the end of the day with prayer and a festive meal called an iftar. It is customary to visit family and friends following the iftar.
During Ramadan, many Muslims go to the mosque and spend several hours praying. In addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam, Muslims recite a special prayer called the Tarawih prayer (night prayer).
On the evening of the 27th day of Ramadan, Muslims observe a special night called Layat al-Qadr, sometimes referred to as the Night of Power. It is believed that Muhammad first received the Holy Qur'an on this night.
At the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr celebrates the breaking of the fast. Friends and families gather for festive meals and exchange gifts. Special gifts are also given to the poor.
RAMADAN - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar (also spelled Rahadhan, Ramzan, Ramadhaan, Ramadaan)
SAWN - The Arabic word for fast. Fasting is defined as abstinence from food, drink, smoking, or any form of nourishment during daylight hours
IFTAR - The meal breaking fast that occurs immediately after sundown
SUHOOR - The pre-fast meal before dawn (also spelled Suhur)
TARAWIH - Special congregational prayers that are offered every night during Ramadan. Tarawih is offered after Isha, the night prayer
I'TIKAF - The practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan in a state of reflection, recitation of holy text, and worship; a spiritual retreat spent at a mosque or in isolation at home
EID AL FITR - A three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr takes place on the first of Shawal (the tenth month of the Islamic calendar)
FIDYA - Compensation for missing a fast, for those unable to practice Sawn. Fidya often takes the form of donating money or food items
LAYLAT AL-QADR - (Night of Power) An important night of devotion and worship for Muslims. During the last 10 days of Ramadan (generally thought to fall on the 27th day), this particular night is the night where the Angel Jibril delivered the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammad.
ZAKAT - (Charity) The donation of money to charity done once a year by Muslims who meet nisab.
NISAB - The minimum amount of wealth owned in order to be obligated to donate 2.5% of owned wealth as zakat.
In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on Friday, February 28th, and conclude at sundown on Sunday, March 30th, with the exact dates depending on the sighting of the moon
Ramadan is a holy month of worship, study of the Quran, prayer, and fasting.
Ramadan occurs during the month in which Muslims believe the Quran began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is a joyous celebration for Muslims.
Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Healthy adults are expected to observe the fast. During Ramadan, the fast helps believers purify their hearts, renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and increase self-discipline. It is also a time to focus on what is most important and positive in a believer’s life.
The Ramadan fast is absolute. Each day, from the time of Suhoor (the final meal before sunrise) until Iftar (the meal to break the fast), Muslims abstain from all food and water. Nothing may be consumed during these hours.
Believers are also encouraged to abstain from anger and to show compassion. Fasting can be a way to increase awareness of Allah and to be more aware of the plight of those who are poor and suffering. Acts of charity are encouraged.
Muslims observe a lunar calendar. Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar year. In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on Friday, February 28th, and conclude at sundown on Sunday, March 30th
At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). It begins with the communal Eid prayer. The holiday includes breaking the month-long fast and celebrating together. This year, Eid-al-Fitr begins at sundown on May 12 and concludes at sundown on May 13.
To all who celebrate: Ramadan Mubarak!
Fasting generally entails abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from before the first light of dawn until the setting of the sun. Muslims are required to fast on each of the 29 to 30 days of Ramadan. If unable to fast, charity or fasting days outside Ramadan may suffice. A pre-dawn meal is common and considered to be a highly meritorious practice. Breaking fast at sundown is often done with dates and milk, followed by a fuller meal after the evening prayers. In addition to the five daily prayers, a very important optional practice is to gather for additional communal prayers after the night prayer each night of the month. This prayer is called Tarawih.
The holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a month of fasting, worship, service, communal gathering, and spiritual development. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Since there are 12 lunar months superimposed over 12 solar months, Ramadan “moves back” about 11 days per solar year. In 2025, the first day of fasting is expected to be March 1, though given differing interpretive schools among Muslim communities some may declare the month to begin a day before or after the predicted date.
Likewise, the holiday commemorating the end of fasting, most often called Eid al-Fitr in the US, may fall on different days according to varying family, cultural, or interpretive preferences. The Eid holiday that marks the end of fasting is expected around March 30. It consists of a congregational prayer in the morning followed by visiting family and friends. The full day of Eid is a holiday, not just the morning prayers, and many will choose to take the day off. As such, it is an excused absence per the Academic Coursework and Religious Observance Policy. Others may prefer to return to school or work and take exams on Eid. In some cultures, the two days after Eid are also counted as part of the holiday.
As mentioned above, the start and end of Ramadan may be a matter of difference of opinion, and some may start and/or end on dates different from other students, staff, or faculty. The daily start and end of fasting may also differ according to interpretive schools, so it is not uncommon for one group of Muslims on a college campus to break fast immediately after sundown and others to delay for 10 or more minutes. Some may be comfortable speaking about whether or not they are fasting, but since the reasons for not fasting can be very personal and private, it is generally better not to ask if one is fasting.
While dates and milk have a religious root as fast-breaking foods, there is tremendous cultural diversity in preferred Ramadan cuisines. Some cultural traditions single out the pre-dawn meal for large and hearty meals, preferring light fast-breaking meals. Other cultural traditions may observe only a light pre-dawn meal while enjoying large fast-breaking meals. In some contemporary cultures, restaurants and cafes stay open all night and a culinary “night life” emerges.
Culture also plays an important role in determining how Ramadan is observed beyond fasting and fast-breaking. Some may see their primary observances to be fasting, but others may consider it a time for socializing, visiting family and friends, and increasing in acts of worship including prayer or reciting the Qur’an in its entirety over the course of the month.
There are points of unity as well as significant diversity in manner and degree of observance.
It is important to know that if there is a health emergency, Muslims can break their fast. Fasting is meant to be a spiritual challenge, but not a threat to one’s health. Those adults who are ill, traveling, menstruating or experiencing postnatal bleeding, or experiencing a medical condition wherein fasting would cause harm, are excused from fasting and either make up the fast later in the year or feed the needy as a charitable expiation.
Each Muslim will experience Ramadan differently and there will often be a significant range of engagement with fasting, prayer, and communal gathering. Some Muslims do not change their daily routines due to fasting, and it is not uncommon for athletes and others to maintain fitness routines while fasting. Others, however, may find the physical and mental demands of fasting and daily prayers to be extremely challenging both mentally and physically. Each individual will differ in their ability to maintain their normal routines and there can be a significant range in ability and requested accommodation.
The last ten nights of Ramadan are especially important and many Muslims will increase in their nightly prayers and devotion.
As we all aim to help our students, staff, faculty, and broader community to perform at their best while answering the call of their religious commitments, we are fortunate to have many options available to us that should ensure that no one will be prevented from their academic or professional obligations due to their religious beliefs and practices.
Commonly requested accommodations may include rescheduling exams, presentations, or assignment deadlines for times of day where mental clarity is not impeded by fasting. For some this might be early in the morning, for others, this might be well after sundown prayers, fast breaking, and ample time to digest.
For those in classes at the time of sundown, some may request a significant break for ritual washing before prayer, breaking fast, and praying the evening prayer. Others may merely drink some water and eat a snack during class, waiting until after class for a fuller meal and the evening prayer. Not all Muslims will observe both the prayer and the fast, and it is not uncommon for some to fast but not pray.
The Three Muslim Festivals by 
The Genius of Islam by