Community Corner

5 Things You Should Know About Ramadan

Muslims around the world begin celebrating their holiest month today

Ramadan began today (or will begin tonight depending on where you live) and in the name of multiculturalism, tolerance and learning new things, we offer five facts that you might not know about Islam's holiest month.

1. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; and, because the Islamic calendar is lunar, it begins at sunset. In fact, many Muslims believe that Ramadan starts with the physical sighting of the moon. A lunar calendar does not sync with the solar calendar so Ramadan starts 11 days earlier each year. It lasts 29 or 30 days.

2. Muslims commemorate Ramadan because they believe that it was in this month the Quran was revealed to Muhammad. Shia Muslims also believe this was the month that the Torah was revealed to Moses and the gospel to Jesus.

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3. Fasting is a well-known part of Ramadan, but the five daily prayers are actually the more important part of the observance.

Muslims abstain from food and drink during the days of Ramadan. After sunset, they may eat. The meal after sunset is called Iftar and it begins with the eating of a date. Then the Maghrib prayer — the fourth of the five daily prayers — is said. It's not uncommon for Iftar to be a banquet meal, shared with friends and family.

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Muslims stress charity during this time of year and give food to the needy. Also, some Muslims task themselves with reading the entire Quran during Ramadan.

4. Ramadan ends with the three-day festival of Eid al-Fitr. People celebrate with early morning prayers, giving food to the poor, wearing new clothes, feasting and visiting relatives. In stark contrast to Ramadan, it is forbidden to fast during the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

5. Let's end with a fun, if seemingly frivolous, fact. Hakeem Olajuwon — who played center in the NBA for 18 years — is a devout Muslim and he fasted during Ramadan, even if he had a basketball game. However, the fasting (which includes not drinking water) did not slow him down. In fact, Olajuwon said he played better during Ramadan.

While statistical analysis doesn't quite bear that out, his offensive output didn't suffer, which is still an impressive accomplishment.


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