- What is Ramadan?
- What is the purpose of Ramadan?
- What are the rules for Ramadan?
- What not to do during Ramadan?
- When is Ramadan? / When does Ramadan end? / How long is Ramadan / When is Eid al-Fitr?
- Who observes Ramadan / What religions observe Ramadan?
- Ramadan for children
- What is iftar?
- What happens during Eid?
- What is Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest period in the Muslim faith. Throughout the month, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink and other physical needs. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is observed as a time for spiritual reflection, increased prayer, reading the Qur’an, acts of charity, self-discipline and gratitude.
What is the purpose of Ramadan?
Ramadan is observed as a month of spiritual renewal and deeper devotion for Muslims. Its purpose is to strengthen one’s relationship with God through fasting, prayer and reflection.
By fasting from dawn to sunset, Muslims practice self-discipline, patience and gratitude, while also developing empathy for those experiencing hardship. The month encourages increased charity, kindness and personal growth, with a focus on improving character and reconnecting with faith.
What are the rules for Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims fast each day from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink, smoking and sex as an act of worship and devotion. The month places strong emphasis on prayer, reading the Qur’an, charity and maintaining good character, encouraging patience, self-control and compassion. Fasting is broken at sunset, and while exemptions apply to children, the elderly, the unwell, pregnant or breastfeeding women and travellers, Ramadan remains a period dedicated to spiritual reflection and renewal.
What not to do during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims must not eat, drink, smoke or engage in sexual activity from dawn to sunset. They are also expected to avoid gossip, lying, arguing, anger and other harmful behaviour. The month encourages self-control in both actions and character, not just physical fasting.
When is Ramadan? / When does Ramadan end? / How long is Ramadan / When is Eid al-Fitr?
Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon and falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, so its dates change each year. It lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon cycle. Ramadan ends at the next new moon, which marks the start of Eid al-Fitr, the festival celebrating the end of fasting.
Who observes Ramadan / What religions observe Ramadan?
Ramadan is observed by Muslims around the world. It is celebrated by more than a billion people across diverse cultures and countries, including the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australia. While practices may vary slightly by region, the core traditions of fasting, prayer, charity and reflection are shared by Muslim communities globally.
Ramadan for Children
For children, Ramadan is a special time to learn about faith, generosity and self-discipline in ways that suit their age. Young children are not required to fast until they reach puberty, but many participate by trying shorter fasts, helping prepare iftar, joining in prayers or giving to charity. The month becomes a meaningful period of family connection, learning and celebration, building excitement toward Eid.
What is iftar?
Iftar is the evening meal that marks the end of the daily fast during Ramadan. At sunset, Muslims break their fast — often beginning with dates and water — before sharing a larger meal with family, friends or community members. It is a time of gratitude, reflection and togetherness after a day of fasting.
What happens during Eid?
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with a special congregational prayer held in the morning, followed by charity known as Zakat al-Fitr to ensure those in need can also take part in the celebrations. Families and friends gather for festive meals, wear new or special clothes, and exchange gifts — particularly with children — as fasting comes to an end. It is a day centred on gratitude, generosity and community, celebrating both the spiritual journey of Ramadan and the joy of coming together.
What is Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two major Islamic festivals, each with distinct meanings and timing. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with prayers, charity and family gatherings, while Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice,” takes place during the Hajj season and honours Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion, marked by prayers and the sharing of sacrificial meat with family and those in need.
Ramadan Food/Recipes
How are Ramadan and Eid observed in Australia?
In Australia, Ramadan and Eid are celebrated in ways that blend longstanding Islamic traditions with the country’s diverse, multicultural landscape. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, gather for prayers and come together for evening iftars, with suburbs like Lakemba and Dandenong hosting vibrant night markets and community gatherings. Eid al-Fitr is marked by large prayer services, shared meals, charity and family celebrations. At SBS, these moments are reflected through multilingual coverage that shares community stories and deepens understanding of their significance across Australia.
How SBS covers Ramadan/Eid
SBS brings Ramadan and Eid coverage together via an English hub that curates stories, podcasts, community events, and explainers—then connects out to SBS Food recipes and related programming. The hub also points audiences to Ramadan and Eid content across the SBS Network (including multilingual coverage) and highlights SBS On Demand collections, making it a “one-stop” entry point for seasonal coverage.
Read, watch and listen to Ramadan/Eid content across the SBS network here