The Muslim Executive of Belgium (‘EMB’) announced on Tuesday evening, “The fast of the month of Ramadan will begin on May 17th, 2018 this year.” In some countries Ramadan began today. In Belgium, the Islamic Council of Theologians met on Tuesday evening, and fixed the beginning of this period as this Thursday.
The organ which represents the Islamic religion indicated, “The EMB and the Islamic Council of Theologians offer their best wishes to the entire Muslim community in Belgium, and wish that this sacred month be one of devotion, mutual support and dialogue between all elements of Belgian society.”
Ramadan falls as the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, determined locally in each respective country by observing the moon. It is a period of prayer and fast, which constitutes one of the pillars of Islam.
Whilst Ramadan lasts, believers must abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan ends with the feast of Eid al-Fitr, the feast which marks the breaking of the Muslim fast.
Last year, the holy month of Ramadan took place from May 27th to June 25th.
The Brussels Times
