Ramadan goes from July 20 through August 18. For this month Muslims fast from food and water during the daylight hours (and typically feast when the sun goes down). Fasting is the fourth pillar of Muslim worship. The entire community is to engage in this discipline together. In the month of Ramadan attendance at mosques increases as Muslims commemorate the start of Muhammad's ministry.
It should be no surprise that many secular Muslims also celebrate Ramadan (much the way secular Christians celebrate Easter). For them the holiday has little or nothing to do with faith and everything to do with preserving a cultural heritage.
Christians should know that our Muslim neighbors are celebrating Ramadan. We should take this opportunity to pray that Muslims would turn to Jesus Christ. For help praying, go here. Let's look for opportunities to engage Muslims in conversation this month. Their attention to Ramadan is an opportunity for us to speak to them about the Gospel.
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