From everyone here at Afghanaid, we wish you a very happy and peaceful Ramadan and we hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe, healthy and cheerful.

What is Ramadan?

The 9th and holiest month of the Islamic year, Ramadan is a time when Muslims from all over the world dedicate themselves to working on their spirituality. 

As part of this month of spiritual rejuvenation, Muslims worldwide fast during daylight hours (consuming no food or water) as a form of worship to bring them closer to God. Families and friends unite to break their fast together, after sunset during iftar or before dawn during suhour.

During Ramadan, most Muslims try to avoid negative acts or their personal vices, whilst instead practicing positive acts, exercising self-control and showing compassion for those less fortunate than themselves. They aim to better their relationship with God and their community in various ways: by attending the mosque for iftar, spending extra time reading the Quran, participating in volunteer work, or coming together for long nights of prayer. 

When is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar - the timing is based on sightings of the crescent moon which means that the dates vary from year to year. In 2024, the month of Ramadan will begin around Sunday 10th of March.

Ramadan ends with the new moon and is celebrated with the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, where families and friends gather together to share celebratory meals and give gifts to their children. Eid al-Fitr is considered to be a time for gratitude, forgiveness, and for making amends.

How is Ramadan celebrated in Afghanistan?

We spoke to a member of staff from our Head Office in Kabul, to find out why Ramadan is important and how her family typically celebrate this special month:

Ramadan is a peaceful month, and a month of togetherness, celebration and happiness. We pray more, we fast during the day and each evening we prepare different kinds of dishes (for example Aay Khanum, Pakawra, Mantoo or Bolani) for Iftar. We spread out our big table cloth and everyone in our family comes together and sits down to pray before breaking the fast together.

How will you be celebrating? Got any family recipes you'd like to share? Get in touch and let us know - we'd love to hear from you.

Recipes for Iftar, the breaking of the fast

In a culture ingrained with hospitality and sharing meals, observing Ramadan for our staff means creating delicious spreads of food for iftar, the breaking of the fast, where entire families come together. Some of our staff's go-to recipes for iftar are Bolani and Aay Khanum, and our current firm favourite (especially following a heavy meal) is Firni, a light, delicious custard - give these dishes a go and let us know how you get on!

Charitable giving during Ramadan

Ramadan is believed to be the best time of the year to practice positive acts such as giving to charity. The rewards for generous deeds during Ramadan are believed to be multiplied many times over. It is the most popular month for paying Zakat (donating 2.5% of your wealth to charity) - each year, British Muslims give millions of pounds to charities.

Ramadan Mubarak!

From everyone at Afghanaid, Ramadan Mubarak! We hope you and your loved ones have a peaceful and happy month, and are able to mark the holy month with your loved ones.

Together, we can make a real difference

Everything Afghanaid does is geared towards achieving our vision of a peaceful and thriving Afghanistan. During this challenging time, Afghan women, men, boys and girls across the country desperately need our help.