---
title: "Ramadan Observances Set to End"
description: "A new Pew Forum survey of Muslims in 39 countries and territories around the world finds that fasting during Ramadan is widely observed, with a median of 93% of Muslims saying they abstain from food and drink during the day."
date: "2012-08-15"
authors:
  - name: "Joseph Liu"
    job_title: "Guest Contributor"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/08/15/ramadan-observances-set-to-end/"
categories:
  - "Beliefs & Practices"
  - "Islam"
  - "Religion & Politics"
---

# Ramadan Observances Set to End

Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is likely to begin at sundown on Aug. 18, pending sighting of the new moon per Islamic tradition. A new Pew Forum survey of Muslims in 39 countries and territories around the world finds that [fasting during Ramadan](/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-2-religious-commitment.aspx#fasting) is widely observed, with a [median](/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-executive-summary.aspx#median) of 93% of Muslims saying they abstain from food and drink during the day. Annual [almsgiving](/Muslim/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-2-religious-commitment.aspx#alms) to assist the poor or needy (zakat) is almost as widely observed as fasting, with a median of 77% of Muslims saying they perform zakat, which by custom is supposed to equal 2.5% or more of a person’s total wealth. For more information on these and other religious practices, see the [full report](/the-worlds-muslims.aspx).

![gsi-devotional](https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2013/01/GSI-DevotionalPractices-08.png)