Ramadan (Islamic)

The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the most important months in Islam, Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims around the world as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and fellowship.

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, observed by Muslims around the world, including millions in the United States. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from food, drink, and other physical needs as a form of spiritual discipline. The month is also marked by increased prayer, reflection, charity, and community involvement. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a festive holiday called Eid al-Fitr.

The origin of Ramadan dates back to the 7th century, when the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The exact dates of Ramadan change each year because the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles.

In the USA, the history of Ramadan observance began with early Muslim immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including African Muslims brought during the transatlantic slave trade. However, more organized and visible observance of Ramadan emerged in the mid-20th century, with the rise of immigrant communities from the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, as well as African American Muslims.

Over the years, Ramadan in the USA has become more publicly recognized. Mosques host nightly prayers and community meals, and many schools and workplaces have begun to accommodate fasting Muslims. Since the 1990s, the White House and other government institutions have occasionally held iftar dinners, reflecting the growing acknowledgment of Islamic traditions in American society.

Below list is a conversion from Islamic lunar calendar to Gregorian calendar, it may have deviations, as regionally is determined according to sighting of the crescent moon.