Overview:
Ramadan (pronounced "rom-a-don") is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It commemorates the month in the year 610 CE when revelations began from God, via the angel Gabriel, to the Prophet Muhammad. These revelations memorized by Muhammad and were later written down as the Qur'an.
During this month, almost all Muslims over the age of 12 are expected to "abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures" from the first light of dawn until sunset. 1 Muslims may opt-out of observing Ramadan for health reasons. The Qur'an states:
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting ..." Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185.
Dates during Ramadan:
 | Ramadan starts at the first visual sighting of the 9th crescent moon by the unaided eye. It lasts for approximately 28 days, a full lunar month. |
| Lailat ul-Qadr (a.k.a. Night of Power) is the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God. Muslims believe that this occurred on one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan. |
| Id al-Fitr (a.k.a. "Id") is the day which follows the month of Ramadan. It is pronounced "eed-al-fitter." It is the first day of the 10th month -- a time of rejoicing. Houses are decorated. Muslims buy gifts for relatives. On this feast day, Muslims greet each other, saying "Eid mubarak" (eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning "blessed Eid," and "taqabbalallah ta’atakum," which means "may God accept your deeds." Many Muslim communities hold bazaars following prayers. |
The approximate dates of Ramadan and Id al-Fitr are:
| Year | Start of Ramadan | Id al-Fitr |
| 1416 H | 1996-JAN-22 | 1996-FEB-20 |
| 1417 H | 1997-JAN-10 | 1997-FEB-08 |
| 1418 H | 1997-DEC-31 | 1998-JAN-29 |
| 1419 H | 1998-DEC-20 | 1999-JAN-19 |
| 1420 H | 1999-DEC-9 | 2000-JAN-8 |
| 1421 H | 2000-NOV-27 | 2000-DEC-27 |
| 1422 H | 2001-NOV-16 | 2001-DEC-16 |
| 1423 H | 2002-NOV-6 | 2002-DEC-5 |
| 1424 H | 2003-OCT-26 | 2003-NOV-25 |
The abbreviation "H" or "AH" is used after dates in the Islamic calendar. They stand for "Hegira" or "Anno Hejira". The base of the Islamic calendar is 622 CE, the year of the Hegira, when the Prophet Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina in what is now Saudi Arabia.
The dates may be delayed by one day or more. They are based on sightings of the crescent moon without benefit of optical aids. The dates do not necessarily reflect the actual timing of the new moon. Because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, it is observed about eleven days earlier each year.
The purposes, discipline, and activities of Ramadan:
"The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the 'five pillars' of Islam." 2 Muslims who fall within one of the following categories may elect to not observe the fast:
| Children under the age of puberty. |
| People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions. |
| The elderly. |
| The sick. |
| Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles. |
| Pregnant women and nursing mothers. |
| Women who are menstruating. |
| Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed days at another time, or feed the poor. |
Young children are encouraged to fast as much as they are able. 2
Muslims may engage in a number of activities during Ramadan:
| Some read the entire Qur'an. |
| Taraweeh prayers are said every evening during Ramadan. |
| Muhammad observed Al-I'etikaaf (retreat) during the last ten days of Ramadan. Some contemporary Muslims do the same by staying in the mosque over a number of days. They store provisions in a corner of the mosque, and engage in spiritual pursuits, such as prayer, recitation of the Qur'an, glorification of Allah, studying the Hadith, etc. 3 |
| Since the employees are on a fast, they might find it more difficult to handle strenuous tasks. Assignment of lighter duties in some cases would undoubtedly be deeply appreciated by Muslim employees. |
| "Special consideration can be given to such things as requests for vacation time, the need for flexible early morning or evening work schedules and lighter homework assignments." For example, working the day shift during Ramadan would enable the employee to break their fast in the evening with their families, and to attend evening prayers. |
| "It is also very important that Muslim workers and students be given time to attend Eid prayers at the end of Ramadan. Eid is as important to Muslims as Christmas and Yom Kippur are to Christians and Jews." |
| "Hospital workers should be aware that injections and oral medications might break the fast. Patients should be given the opportunity to decide whether or not their condition exempts them from fasting." 2 |
A small token such as an Eid card or baked goods given to a Muslim co-worker or friend during Eid ul-Fitr would also be greatly appreciated. These cards cards are available from Muslim bookstores, or can be sent online. 4