More than 1,300 millions Muslims will today (1 September 2008) begin marking the Month of Ramadan, the holy month directed in the Koran. During this period, Muslims have an obligation to maintain a strict fast during the hours of daylight. “It is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam; the first three are the testimony of faith, prayer and almsgiving, and the fifth, the pilgrimage to Mecca,” explained the Islamic Center (IC).

The fasting of Ramadan is obligatory for adults, but the sick, elderly, children, pregnant women and those who are traveling are not obliged to observe it. “In addition to fulfilling a religious function (a direct way to worship God), it offers a sense of health (to purify the body), mental wellbeing (to strengthen the will) and morality, which also serves to strengthen family ties”, remarked the IC. The beginning of the month, the ninth of the Muslim calendar, has coincided in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories of West Bank and Gaza. In Iraq, Sunni Muslims also began fasting.   »»» Religious Intelligence

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