Hoping for a ceasefire

Ramadan begins for most Muslims

The month of fasting begins on the evening of March 10 - despite the turmoil of war in Israel too, of course ...

(Bild: AFP)

The fasting month of Ramadan begins on the evening of March 10, 2024. For 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, it is considered particularly holy and is inextricably linked to 30 days of fasting and special devotion to Allah. It ends on the evening of April 8. The festival of breaking the fast follows the next day.

In addition to daily fasting, this period is marked by two special religious festivals: The Night of Destiny (Lailat al-Qadr) commemorates the revelation of the first sura of the Quran and the Feast of Breaking the Fast (Id al-Fitr/Eide Fetr, also known as Eid) ends the fasting period.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. The beginning is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. As the Islamic calendar is based solely on the moon, the years are ten to eleven days shorter than in the solar year. 

Israel wants to give worshippers access to the Temple Mount
Despite the turmoil in the Gaza war, Israel wants to grant Muslims access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. "Taking security conditions into account, we will do everything we can to ensure the free practice of religion on the Temple Mount and allow Muslims to celebrate (Ramadan)," explained Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

A ceasefire is being discussed, but has not yet been decided.

Die Fakten

Über den Fastenmonat Ramadan

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and break the fast together with the iftar meal in the evening. Fasting should have a positive effect on one's own behavior and serves to consciously devote oneself to God, focus on the essentials in life and improve one's character.

Children, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, the chronically ill and the elderly are exempt from fasting. Making up missed days of fasting - or compensating for them with alms - is permitted for all those who are acutely ill, traveling, pregnant and breastfeeding women, women in childbed or menstruating.

These rules are laid down in the Koran and Islamic traditions. Smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse should also be avoided.