The fasting month of Ramadan is the holiest and most celebrated time for Muslims around the world. It is a month that has enormous significance and cuts across religions – just like Christmas. For many, Ramadan is a deeply spiritual time of prayer, reflection, seclusion and cleansing of the soul. Ramadan is also a social month. During the day, Muslims fast from morning to evening. When the sun goes down, the fast is broken. Then families and friends gather in the home and eat the iftar meal.
During Ramadan, rich people give back to the less fortunate in society. Every year, millions of people celebrate Ramadan in areas of conflict and grief. For them, an act of compassion and solidarity during Ramadan means so much.
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan usually falls during March/April each year. The exact dates may vary by a few days depending on the region and how the moon is interpreted. Ramadan and fasting lasts 29-30 days depending on the lunar calendar. When it ends, the feast of Eid al-Fitr begins.
When does eid start?
Ramadan and fasting ends with the celebration and feast of Eid al-Fitr, which begins the day after the end of the month of fasting. Eid breaks the fast and families and friends celebrate for up to three days. Children receive new clothes and gifts, or money (eidiyah).
After the Eid prayer in the mosque in the morning, the family gathers and eats breakfast. They greet each other "Eid Mubarak" and wish a peaceful and prosperous eid.
How long does fasting last during Ramadan?
During the 29-30 days that Ramadan lasts, all faithful Muslims must fast every day. From sunrise to sunset, one abstains from eating and drinking. If you are sick, elderly, pregnant, diabetic or menstruating, you do not need to fast. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Preparations:
Food & nutrition
- Shop ahead and make a meal plan to make sure you get all the food and nutrition you need.
Load with suhoor
- Prepare your body with a nutritious smoothie and fluid replacement.
Focus on fibers
- Feel free to choose whole grain bread, oats, chia seeds, lentils, beans or brown rice.
Water, water, water
- Don't forget to drink a lot and maybe top up with fluid replacement.
Make time for power naps
- Take short breaks/meditate and make sure you get enough sleep to get through the day.
Time for reflection
- Set goals for the new period that is now coming.
Here's how you can use vitamins to supplement your diet:
Taken at Suhoor:
Vitamin B Complex : Reduces fatigue, exhaustion and stress. Contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system, energy metabolism and nervous system as well as to the formation of red blood cells.
At Iftar, eat:
Vitamin D3 : Important during most of the year when the sun is not so high here in the Nordics. Few foods, neither animal nor vegan, naturally contain vitamin D, making it important for everyone.
Omega 3 : Is a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are vital for us humans as we cannot produce them ourselves in the body.
Before bedtime:
Magnesium : Contributes to the normal function of the muscles and can reduce symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion.
