Ramadan Start in Benin

Day: Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, commences with the sighting of the new moon. In Benin, as in other Islamic countries, the exact start date varies each year due to this lunar dependency. The beginning is confirmed by religious authorities based on moon sightings.

History: Ramadan embodies a period of fasting and spiritual reflection for Muslims, commemorating the month when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This tradition has been observed for over 14 centuries since Islam's inception.

Traditions: In Benin, a country with a significant Muslim population, Ramadan is marked by both personal and communal acts of worship. Key traditions include:

• Suhur: Before dawn, families rise for suhur, a pre-fasting meal.
• Fasting (Sawm): From dawn until sunset, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations.
• Tarawih Prayers: Special nightly prayers are conducted where long portions of the Quran are recited.
• Charity (Zakat): Increased giving to the needy is emphasized as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
• Iftar: At sunset, the fast is broken with iftar. People often gather with family and friends to eat dates and drink water before having a meal.

On this day in Benin, just like in other Muslim communities around the world, people engage in heightened spiritual reflection, additional prayers and reading of the Quran. It's also common for individuals to extend goodwill gestures towards others and strengthen community bonds through shared religious observance.