Ramadan
Culture/religion: Islamic
Date: April 13-May 11
Ramadan occurs in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims.
During Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion.
Many mosques host daily community dinners where Muslims can break their fast together. Other traditions include reciting special prayers, food drives or fundraisers for charity and open houses for friends and neighbors of other faiths to join them for their fast-breaking dinner (iftar) at the end of the fasting day.
Sources:
Ramadan Information Sheet, ing.org