3/10/2024 | Marina Montez-Ellis, Garden Program Specialist

Islam has 1 billion followers around the world including Indonesia, Pakistan, Palestine, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey and Iran. It is estimated that there are 7 million followers in the United States.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, a lunar calendar that’s based on the phases of the moon. Ramadan is the holiest month of the year.

Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. During Ramadan Muslims fast from Fajr, first prayer of the the day, until Maghrib the second to last prayer of the day (when the sun sets).

This year Ramadan begins at sunset on Sunday, March 10, and concludes at sundown on Tuesday, April 9, the last day is called Eid al-Fitr (feast of breaking the fast) with a celebration that lasts for 3 days.

The holiest night of the year during Ramadan, called Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power), is believed to be the night the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad Pbuh. Ramadan is a time for reflection and reading the Quran.