6 quick facts about Ramadan

July 16, 2014
          Day 77

Though there are over a billion people worldwide who already know these facts about Ramadan, most of my readers will probably not, so I thought I'd just lay out a few simple notes for you.  Our brothers and sisters in the Muslim faith are honoring this holy month right now, so try to lock these to memory if you can.  That way, the next time someone asks, you'll be the one to pass on some of this helpful information.

And thank you to Wikipedia and Google for the help!

1) Ramadan is the 9th and holiest month of the Islamic calendar.  It marks the time when the prophet Muhammad first received the revelations found in the Quran. 

2) The word Ramadan means scorching heat or dryness.

3) Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims reflect on many events in the Islamic faith, some of which include crossover traditions from the Jewish and Christian faiths.  Both the Torah and Jesus are referenced on different days of the Ramadan calendar.

4) For about 30 days, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, neither eating nor drinking anything at all (not even water).  Fasting is obligatory, but is waived for those who are sick, pregnant, or diabetic.  They must also refrain from smoking and sexual activity from sunrise to sunset each day.  They wake up early to eat as a family before sunrise, then go through their day without food or drink, reminding themselves what the poor and hungry must feel all the time.  At the close of each day, they break fast together through a shared meal as a family or community.

5) Muslims fast during this month as a way of thanking God/Allah for guiding them, not just through the fast, but through all things.  They also pray more during this month, and give more to charity.  It's seen as a special time to focus on God and purify their souls, just as Lent is in the Catholic Church.

6) In 2014, Ramadan is celebrated from June 28th to July 28th.