'Ramadan Mubarak': Here's what you need to know about the Islamic holy month

• Ramadan lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the moon cycle.
• After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate with a festival called Eid and wish each other 'Eid Mubarak' (Have a blessed Eid).
• Eid is a social event that is celebrated by having your family, friends and neighbours over for a large feast.
• Muslims decorate their homes and wear new clothes, and children and the elderly receive gifts or money packets.
• While practices vary across the world, Eid is also a time when Muslims seek forgiveness from each other.

• Don't eat or drink from dawn to dusk.
• Before the sun rises, Muslims usually wake up to eat a big meal so that they won't be hungry during the day.
• Those who don't want to wake up early have a big dinner before bed.

You're exempt from fasting if you're:

• Pregnant
• Sick
• Menstruating
• Travelling long distances

Children are not required to fast but they're welcome to learn by participating, such as fasting up until lunchtime.

If you miss a fast, you can make up for it by fasting at a later date. And if you can't fast because of health reasons, you can donate food or money to the poor instead.

• You may see the phrases "Ramadan Mubarak" and "Ramadan Kareem" on social media.
• "Ramadan Mubarak" means "Have a blessed Ramadan".
• "Ramadan Kareem" means "Have a generous Ramadan".
• You don't have to be participating in Ramadan to say "Ramadan Mubarak" or "Ramadan Kareem".
• They are festive greetings the same as "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukkah".

• You can eat and drink in front of someone fasting for Ramadan during the day.
• While they will probably turn down your lunch invite, you can have dinner together when they break their fast.
• Remember, Ramadan is all about coming together, so inviting a person to break their fast with you is a large part of the celebration.