MUSLIM FAST OF RAMADAN BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15
 

 The Muslim community in America and around the world began the month-long fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don) on October 15, 2004.  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset.  

The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam. Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins earlier each year. The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called "Eid ul-Fitr," or Feast of the Fast-Breaking, on November 14, 2004.*


During Ramadan, many local Muslim communities have nightly fast-breaking dinners and other social activities. Most mosques also hold special prayers, called taraweeh, which are performed after the daily nighttime prayer. In the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan, Muslims mark Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power" or "Night of Destiny").


The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting..." (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185)


The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions: "God has said: 'Fasting is like a shield. A person who fasts experiences two joys.  He is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful when he meets his Lord.'" (Hadith Qudsi 10) The Prophet also said: "In (Ramadan) the gates of Heaven are opened (and) the gates of (Hell) are locked." (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 611)

 *  Based on the sighting of the new moon.