Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year in Islamic culture. Muslims observe the month of Ramadan, to mark that Allah (God), gave the first chapters of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 610AD. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast, abstain from pleasures, food and drink during daylight hours and focus to become closer to God. Fasting allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith. It is thought to teach self-discipline and reminds them of the suffering of the poor. Muslim are encouraged to give to charity and look after the needy.
Muslims break their fast at sunset with a meal known as the iftar. The end of Ramadan is marked by a big celebration called 'Eid ul-Fitr' (the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast).
Ramadan is a very busy period for Swansea and the Welsh Muslim Centre. Swansea Mosque provides variety of special services to the entire community. These services range from:
- Daily Taraweeh prayers (special night prayers)
- Daily spiritual reminders
- Daily Iftar (break of fast meal), this is also open to the wider community
- Community Eid prayer and Gathering
- Daily Quran tafsir
- Raising donations for various charities
