Ramadan starts today

Today is the first day of Ramadan.  During the month of Ramadan, Muslims won't eat or drink between dawn and sunset. Fasting is important during Ramadan as it allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith and come closer to Allah, or God.  In the UK, due to the current positioning of the sun, the fasts will last about 20 hours long.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, charity and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.  Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.  People will make a special effort to be active in their communities and reach out to people who need help.

For more information on Ramadan check out this article from the BBC News website which dispels some of the myths that exist about what happens and may help you support your Muslim friends and colleagues during the holy month.