Ramadan

Date shown for 2026 is estimated as the official date has not been finalized as of September 2025.

Ramadan History

Ramadan is a month long celebration of fasting, reflection, and community. Central to this observance is the guiding principle of self-discipline; Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk, focusing instead on prayer, charity, and spiritual self-reflection. This annual ritual serves as a reminder of the less fortunate and strives to encourage unity, compassion, and the purification of the mind, body, and soul. Therefore, Ramadan is a crucial time of giving, fellowship, and self-restraint in the Islamic religion.

The practice of Ramadan has roots dating back to the time of Prophet Muhammad and plays a significant role in Islam. In The Netherlands, a sizable Muslim community upholds this tradition each year. The country’s accommodation for the observance of Ramadan reflects its commitment to cultural diversity and religious freedom, emphasizing the importance of tolerance and mutual respect. Muslims in The Netherlands, like their counterparts worldwide, observe Ramadan as a sacred time of dedication to both their faith and their community.

In The Netherlands, the observance of Ramadan mirrors the global Islamic traditions whilst considering local circumstances. Participants fast during daylight hours, breaking their fast with an evening meal known as Iftar. Time differences are taken into account, with the beginning and end of Ramadan determined by the sighting of the new moon.

Facts & quotes about Ramadan

• According to Islamic tradition, menstruating women, women who are experiencing bleeding after giving birth, people who are sick (either with short term or long term illnesses), and travelers are exempt from fasting. Pregnant women also have the option of skipping fasts.
• According to Sunnah belief, the Prophet Muhammad once said, There is no conceit in fasting.
• O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves (Quran, 2:183)
• In the city of Zwolle, the local police department has been organizing an annual football tournament during Ramadan since 2008 to foster relationships between police officers and local Muslim youth.
• Interestingly, due to the geographical location of the Netherlands, fasting hours during Ramadan can be particularly long, sometimes up to 19 hours a day in the summer. This can be challenging for Muslims in the Netherlands, particularly in comparison to countries closer to the equator with more consistent daylight hours.

In the News and Trending in Netherlands for Ramadan

Top things to do in Netherlands for Ramadan

• The fast is usually broken in a family setting, where traditional foods are served. Most Muslims begin their meal with a few dates and a glass of milk because the Prophet Muhammad used to do the same. The high sugar content of the dates sends energy to weary fasting Muslim, while the fiber in the dates and the protein in the milk fills them up and prevents nausea.
• During Ramadan, Muslims congregate every night in the mosque to pray Taraweeh prayers in congregation. In the United States, in between sets of prayers, the Imam gives a brief sermon and encourages people to give to charity.
• Attend Sugar City Events: Located in Halfweg, SugarCity Events often arrangement activities during Ramadan like food markets, concerts, and other entertainment events.
• Read a book to learn more about Ramadan in The Netherlands:
  Dutch Culture in a European Perspective - This book offers a detailed look into the various facets of Dutch culture or cultural practices, including the observance of Ramadan.
  Encyclopedia of Contemporary Dutch Culture - While not entirely about Ramadan, this comprehensive guide offers useful insights about how Dutch society celebrates cultural and religious festivals, including Ramadan.
  Living Islam: Muslim Religious Experience in Pakistan's North-West Frontier - This book offers a comparative approach for understanding different practices within Islam, including Dutch Muslims' observance of Ramadan.