ASU prides itself on its diverse student body, faculty, and staff. Students of all religions (or the practice of no religion) come from all 50 states and represent more than 100 countries. Every one of them is welcome and included.
Ramadan, one of the most important Muslim holidays, begins this month—the ninth month of the Islamic calendar beginning and ending with a crescent moon. The exact start date of Ramadan varies by country and is determined by the sighting of the new moon. This year, it is expected to begin March 22 or 23, depending on the moon sighting, and end on April 21 or 22, when the festival of Eid al-Fitr begins.
The religious holiday lasts for 30 days and serves as a reminder of the month when the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed. Muslims around the world will observe the month-long festival and are not allowed to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a practice of self-restraint, one of the pillars of Islam.
Every Muslim who has reached puberty and is physically capable is required to fast, since Ramadan is meant to strengthen their relationship with God. A habit takes a month to form and this is why Ramadan is a month long–to allow time to commune more deeply with God. During Ramadan, there are five daily prayers, and Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with a meal called iftar. This meal after sundown is often celebrated with extended family and friends.
As of today, more than 2 billion people around the world identify themselves as Muslims and represent more than 25 percent of the world’s population. Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity. Muslims, like any religious community, are diverse in belief and practice, but Ramadan brings families and friends together in celebration after a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.