Ramadan 2025 will begin at sundown on Friday, February 28, and will end at sundown on Sunday, March 29.
What is Ramadan? It is the holy month, the ninth in the Muslim calendar, whose beginning is marked by the appearance of the crescent moon. Because the Muslim calendar is based on the 354-day lunary calendar, Ramadan’s start date and end date will vary each year
The observance of the holy month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and is a time for fasting, introspection, prayer, and faithful intention for Muslims around the world.
During Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to abstain from all of the following between sunrise and sunset:
- Eating
- Drinking
- Smoking
- Sexual relations
- Sinful speech and behavior
Traditionally, each day of Ramadan involves a pre-dawn meal, suhur, followed by the first of the required five daily prayers. After sundown comes the next meal, iftar, followed by evening prayers. No food or drink is permitted in between for anyone, with some exceptions (including pregnant and nursing women, young children and the elderly).
In addition to fasting, Muslims are asked during Ramadan to be more mindful of the teachings of Islam, both in their actions and thoughts – avoiding violence, anger, jealousy, greed, and other vices – and through devoted reading of the Quran.
By practicing these obligations throughout each day of the month, an individual cleanses one’s soul, practices discipline, self-control and spirituality, and becomes closer to God.
Another key piece of the puzzle is charitable giving. The obligations of Ramadan generate strong feelings of compassion and empathy for those less fortunate, those people who go hungry or thirsty throughout the year not by choice. Charitable giving is another of the Five Pillars of Islam, and Muslims donate more money to charity during the month of Ramadan than at any point of the year.
There is no better time of year to think about how to help others, and to take action.
Help feed people in need with Embrace Relief
All it takes to make a powerful impact this Ramadan is a donation to Embrace Relief’s International Hunger Relief: Ramadan 2025 campaign. Every dollar you donate will help us provide nutritious food packages to those who need it most – whether they live in Tanzania, Mali, Yemen, Indonesia, Greece, the United States, or any of the other countries where Embrace Relief works to provide much-needed aid.
During last year’s International Hunger Relief: Ramadan campaign, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Embrace Relief was able to distribute food to more than 68,000 people in 21 countries spanning 5 continents. In 2025, we want to make an even greater impact – but we need your help to do it!
When you give to Embrace Relief this Ramadan, you will make a powerful difference in the life of a vulnerable family. Just $35 can provide a family of five with enough food for a full week, so don’t delay! Donate today using the form below and help Embrace Relief share nutritious food with our friends around the globe.
