Islam's Holy Month

[phkrause]

What's Ramadan all about? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest period in the Muslim year. It is observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer, Quran recitation, self-reflection, and charitable giving, while also cultivating self-control, gratitude, and compassion. Roughly 1.9 billion people across more than 180 countries observe Ramadan, one of the five foundational pillars of Islam. Its origins trace to 610 CE, the year Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad first received the Quran's revelations during this month in the Cave of Hira outside Mecca (read the story).    Communities come to life at night as the breaking of the fast—the meal called "iftar—becomes one of the most communal moments of the year (and, in some areas, a major TV event). Ramadan's timing is governed by lunar visibility rather than fixed dates, meaning it officially begins only when a new crescent moon is spotted in the western sky after sunset, which varies by geography. Since 12 moon cycles are approximately 11 days shorter than a solar year, Ramadan occurs roughly 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year (2030 will see two Ramadans).   Ramadan's spiritual peak comes on Laylat al-Qadr—typically a few days before the end of the lunar month—the commemoration of Muhammad's "night of power," when he received the first Quranic message from the angel Gabriel. The month ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the first day of the following month, Shawwal. ... Read what else we learned about Ramadan here.   Also, check out ...  > What's involved in sighting the moon during Ramadan? (Read) > How Muslims in the Arctic manage fasting during 20-hour days. (Read) > Watch a crash course on the basic tenets of Islam. (Watch) > One NBA star won Player of the Month while fasting during Ramadan. (Read)