The Fast of Ramadan Begins for Muslim Families

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins Monday and may be something many of us have heard of but don’t know much about.

The month is particularly significant to Muslims because, they believe, it was during Ramadan that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad.

During the month-long observance, Muslims practice self discipline, self control and self sacrifice by fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting is seen as a way to empathize with those who are less fortunate and encourages charitable actions.

Here are some facts about the month:

• The traditions of Ramadan are celebrated by more than a billion people throughout the world.
• The standard greeting for the beginning of Ramadan (akin to “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year”) is “Ramadan Kareem,” which means noble or generous Ramadan.
• Because Ramadan is part of a lunar-based calendar, the dates vary compared to our calendar and the date moves backwards by about 11 days each year; therefore, after 34 years, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar.
• The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the Muslim holiday Eid ul-Fitr, or Eid, on the first day of the month following Ramadan, Shawwal. In addition to prayer, charity to the poor and gifts to children are part of the three-day celebration.

Interested in learning more or perhaps visiting a place of worship? Here are some Islamic centers within the region:

Islamic Center of Northridge: 11439 Encino Ave., Granada Hills. 818-0360-3500.

Islamic Center of Reseda: 18206 Victory Blvd., Reseda. 818-996-9116.

Islamic Center of North Hollywood: 5114 Vineland Ave. North Hollywood. 818-980-9325.

Islamic Center of Beverly Hills: 264 South La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills. 310-859-0404.

Islamic Center of Southern California: 434 South Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. 213-382-9200

Islamic Center of Conejo Valley: 2700 Borchard Rd., Newbury Park. 805-499-2106.

Muslim Community Center: 525 South A St., Oxnard. 805-486-8886.