Ramadan

Ramadan, a significant observance in the Muslim calendar, is a month of fasting, reflection, and community. Central to this observance is the guiding principle of self-discipline; Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk, focusing instead on prayer, charity, and spiritual self-reflection. This annual ritual serves as a reminder of the less fortunate and strives to encourage unity, compassion, and the purification of the mind, body, and soul. Therefore, Ramadan is a crucial time of giving, fellowship, and self-restraint in the Islamic religion.

The practice of Ramadan has roots dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad and plays a significant role in Islam. In The Netherlands, a sizable Muslim community upholds this tradition each year. The country’s accommodation for the observance of Ramadan reflects its commitment to cultural diversity and religious freedom, emphasizing the importance of tolerance and mutual respect. Muslims in The Netherlands, like their counterparts worldwide, observe Ramadan as a sacred time of dedication to both their faith and their community.

In The Netherlands, the observance of Ramadan mirrors the global Islamic traditions whilst considering local circumstances. Participants fast during daylight hours, breaking their fast with an evening meal known as Iftar. Time differences are taken into account, with the beginning and end of Ramadan determined by the sighting of the new moon.