Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year Ramadan in the United States started about Tuesday, February 17th and continues for 29 or 30 days, until about Thursday, March 19th. The official start and end are confirmed by the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) by local religious authorities.
During Ramadan, from dawn to sunset Muslims abstain from food and drink to increase God consciousness. They abstain from things that are normally allowed in order to build self discipline to abstain from things that are always harmful. It is a time to increase gratitude, charity, prayer, familial and community relationships and to help and increase empathy for the less fortunate all while seeking God’s acceptance in our words and actions. The good habits and closeness to God developed during Ramadan should be maintained throughout the year.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Ramadan.
