Ramadan 2024: Start Date, Sehri and Iftar Timings, and More Details Revealed

As the Islamic month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims worldwide prepare for a period of spiritual devotion, self-reflection, and communal solidarity. Ramadan, often referred to as the month of healing, holds profound significance in the Islamic faith, serving as a time for fasting, prayer, and acts of charity.

Lasting either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, Ramadan is marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting, during which Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs. This fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, menstruating, pregnant, diabetic, or elderly.

The word “Ramadan” itself is derived from the Arabic root “ramida” or “ar-ramad,” meaning “scorching heat.” It stands as one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the profession of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), and pilgrimage (Hajj). The day begins with a pre-dawn meal called “sehri” or “suhoor,” and fasting concludes with the evening meal known as “iftar,” which occurs after the call to the evening prayer of Maghrib.

This year, Ramadan is anticipated to commence on either Monday, March 11, or Tuesday, March 12, 2024, contingent upon the sighting of the moon in Mecca. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, resulting in Ramadan occurring approximately 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

Traditionally, the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan is first sighted in Saudi Arabia and select regions, followed by other parts of India and Western countries. The timing of sehri and iftar meals varies depending on geographical locations and local traditions.

In India, the timings for sehri and iftar are eagerly awaited by Muslims across the country. The sehri meal is consumed before dawn, while iftar marks the breaking of the fast at sunset. These times hold immense significance, serving as moments for communal gatherings, prayer, and reflection.

As Muslims worldwide prepare to embark on this sacred journey of Ramadan, it is a time not only for personal spiritual growth but also for fostering bonds of compassion, generosity, and solidarity within communities. Through fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, Muslims seek to deepen their connection with the divine and embody the principles of empathy and kindness exemplified by the teachings of Islam.

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