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From feeding the homeless to praying with members of other faiths,
American Muslims have developed their own approaches to spirituality
during this holy month.
According
to Muslim belief, God revealed the text of the Qur'an to the Prophet
Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. To honor this gift, many Muslims
fast from dawn to sunset for 30 days and also refrain from sexual
activity during those hours.
But Ramadan is about more than self-denial. It is also a time of
prayer and charitable acts. American Muslims around the country have
developed their own ways of sharing their spirituality. In Atlanta 20
years ago, a group of African-American women realized they couldn’t
fast while pregnant but they still wanted to make a sacrifice, so they
started feeding the city’s homeless. The tradition evolved into a
weekly event that continues to this day. During Ramadan 2005 in New
York City, a group of people who identify themselves as “progressive
Muslims” started meeting for meals and conversation about their values.
They still operate as an informal club. In Chicago this year, a group
of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim young people plan to fast collectively
and volunteer at a local soup kitchen.
The timing of Ramadan shifts every year according to the lunar
calendar: this year, it begins on September 12 and runs for 30 days
until the festival of Eid on October 13.
If you are journalist covering Ramadan this year, view our recommended experts.
Posted September 12, 2007
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