Ramadan takes place on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is compulsory time for all healthy Muslims around the world to refrain from eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset. Fasting takes place on a daily basis so when Muslims observe Ramadan, most people will take two meals, one before dawn called Suhoor and one after sunset called Iftar.

In 2020, Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday 23rd April and continue for 30 days until Saturday 23rd May.  Within the Muslim calendar, the holiday begins at sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Tuesday 15th of May. Once the month of fasting ends, Eid is celebrated.

The month of Ramadan follows the lunar calendar so fasting will move forward 10 days each year. This means over the next few years in the UK, Ramadan will take place in the summer months meaning fasts could last as long as 17 hours or more.