When is Ramadan 2024? What is it? Muslims set to mark a month of spirituality, reflection

Muslims across the world are preparing for a month of fasting, spirituality and reflection this Ramadan.

Each year millions of Muslims will begin fasting from sunrise to sunset and engaging in activities that challenge their self-restraint and bring them closer to God.

The holiday is celebrated on different dates each year. Every year, the holiday starts approximately 11 days before it did the previous year. The exact date always depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. This year the moon was sighted on the night of Sunday, March 10, and fasting began on Monday, March 11.

Fasting can last for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the moon signifying the start of the next month is spotted.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic or Hijri, calendar. Muslims believe that it was during this month that God revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.

Tyler Mallari, a spokesperson with the Zakat Foundation told USA TODAY that Ramadan "is a time for Muslims to come together, focus on their spiritual and personal development and spend time giving charity and gathering with their community for prayers and events."

Why do Muslims fast?

Muslims who have reached puberty and who are physically capable will fast from sunrise to sunset. Fasting not only means abstaining from food and drink, but also from sexual relations, and ill behavior. Those who are sick, or traveling are exempt from fasting.

"The idea is to cultivate awareness of God. Taqwa in Arabic," Imam Ebad Rahman, Religious Life Associate for Muslim Life at Columbia University told USA TODAY.

During Ramadan, Muslims may engage with the Quran more, with some even challenging themselves to complete reading the religious text in its entirety, Mallari said.

Rahman said Muslims will also reflect on the meaning of the Quran, engage in extra prayers, and "also come together as a community by caring for the needy and sharing their wealth, resources and food, especially in feeding folks," during the month.

The idea of "the nearness of God, that God is always near and that God listens to the supplications and prayers of people is really emphasized" during this month, meaning that many Muslims will focus on increasing their good deeds.

"It's considered a period where God will multiply rewards and people who try to be on top of their game, try to be especially considerate and especially devout," Rahman said.

The last ten nights

The last ten nights of Ramadan are considered to be especially sacred with the holiest night of Ramadan, Laylat Al-Qadr, falling on one of those nights.

It's not known when Laylat al-Qadr, known as the “Night of Power” will be, but many believe it most likely falls on any of the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Good deeds are believed to be significantly multiplied on that night, and Muslims may spend the night in reflection, prayer and doing other good deeds.

Additionally, the month is also known to be a time when Muslims increase the charity they give.

"Muslims are encouraged to embody a charitable spirit in Ramadan in order to benefit their local and broader communities alongside their own personal spiritual development. Through their Ramadan charity, Muslims strive to take care of their neighbors and those around the world in need," Mallari said.

How else do Muslims celebrate during Ramadan?

Beyond fasting, the month is also a time when communities come together. Mallari said mosques all across the country will host iftars, meals breaking the fast, for their communities. These events can be attended by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"Iftars are away for Muslims to connect with others in their local Muslim community and engender the spirit of sharing," Mallari said.

Families and friends also host their own iftars, gathering together to break their fasts, enjoy each other's company, and engage in religious activities together.

"In Muslim families, communities, and societies, there's even more attention to what folks are going to break their fasts with and sometimes there's special cuisines or favorite dishes," Rahman said.

Rahman said it's a time for coming together and praying together, "especially for those we know are being deprived and are experiencing injustice and oppression, especially at this moment."

When does Ramadan end? When is Eid Al-Fitr?

This year, it's predicted that Ramadan will end on April 9, with the following day being the first day of Eid Al-Fitr. However, like the start of Ramadan, the ending of the month is also contingent on the sighting of the moon.

Muslims end the month of Ramadan with the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, one of the two celebratory holidays in the Islamic faith. Eid Al-Fitr is a time when Muslims come together in prayer, and also celebrate completing Ramadan.

Traditions vary across the world, but it's not uncommon for families to buy new clothes, get dressed up, gather together, and give presents or money to each other.

"It's a festive holiday to look forward to," Rahman said.