Ramadan Begins Today, Muslims Start the Month of Fasting

By Hassan El-Najjar

Editor of Al-Jazeerah & CCUN, 1 Ramadan, 1431, August 11, 2010

Ramadan Mubarak!

Today, Wednesday, is the first day of the Islamic month of Ramadan (Ramadhan), of the year 1431 Hijriya, corresponding to August 11, 2010.

Adult Muslims all over the world start fasting this month as required by their religion. They abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having sexual activity from dawn to the sunset.

Fasting is the fourth way of worshipping God after the proclamation of faith, performing prayers, giving the poor tax (alms or charity), and followed by the pilgrimage, Haj.

For more information about Ramadan fasting, see the following articles:

1. Islam: A Brief Introduction

3. Three Levels of Faith: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan

8. The Relationship Between the Spiritual and the Physical in Islamic Teachings

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