By Ricki Walters, Regional Diversity Trainer/Investigator
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which lasts 29 or 30 days. In 2011, Ramadan is observed from August 1st through the 29th. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which observing Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sex with their partners during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and obedience to God. Compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month because of the revelations that God made to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Islamic prophet, Muhammed.
