Minnesota Muslims to Observe Ramadan from March 23 to April 20, 2023.
Muslims around the world will observe the month-long fast of Ramadan from the evening of March 23rd to the evening of April 20, 2023. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on a 12 month lunar year of approximately 354 days. Because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year, Ramadan moves 11 days earlier each year. In 2021, Ramadan falls in-between spring and summer, meaning the days are “longer,” and Minnesota Muslims have to fast for a longer period of time as opposed to when Ramadan falls in the wintertime.
During this month, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. On average, the fast will last 16-17 hours a day for the entire month. Fasting during this time doesn’t just mean abstaining from food. Fasting for Ramadan means forgoing food, water, smoking, chewing-gum, etc., with the objective of gaining discipline, self-restraint, and making a conscious effort to do good.
A typical day in Ramadan is to wake up around 3:30 AM for the pre-dawn meal, perform the morning prayer, and, depending on the circumstances, go back to bed or begin one’s day. Particularly during these long summer months, people often take a nap in the late afternoon. At sunset, family members break the fast with a dates and water and possibly foods like soup or fruit. After performing the sunset prayers, the family eats a full dinner. Community and interfaith gatherings for breaking fast are common. Many families go to mosque for the late night prayer and return home around midnight depending on the time of the year.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate one of their major holidays called Eid al-Fitr, or, the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” This year, Eid al-Fitr falls on May 12th. Children traditionally receive new clothes, money, or gifts from loved ones. A special prayer and sermon are held the morning of Eid followed by a community celebration. Food, games, and presents for children are important parts of the festivities and provide entertainment while friends and family socialize, eat and reunite with acquaintances.
The typical greeting at the start of Ramadan is “Ramadan Mubarak” or “blessed Ramadan.” The end of Ramadan greeting is “Eid Mubarak” or “blessed Eid.”
For school administrators and teachers, it will help to keep the following in mind:
– Unlike Christmas or Chanukah, which fall in December, Ramadan can occur any time of the year. School administrators and teachers should be alert and check its dates each year. In 2021, Ramadan begins April 12th and ends on May 12th, coinciding with the ending weeks of the school year.
– Announcing the start of Ramadan in a school newsletter or e-blast will not only help keep your school community in the loop, but it will also signify to your Muslim community members you respect their traditions and want to make Ramadan a supportive time for students.
– Ramadan coinciding with the school year is both a special and difficult overlap for children. Exercise understanding and empathy towards fasting students, keeping the line of communication open and honest.
Allow fasting students to:
– Spend lunchtime in library or computer lab
– Be excused from strenuous activities in P.E.
– Save treats from celebrations to bring home
– Take slow or transitory times during the school day to pray
Children are delightfully curious and open-minded. Explaining Ramadan to your classrooms could be an enriching experience for your students. Consider bringing in one of IRG’s experienced, trained speakers to talk to your class about Ramadan, Islam, and the authentic Muslim experience.
For more information, please contact Islamic Resource Group at irg@irgmn.org.
