"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may aquire self-restraint .

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, beginning on a date determined by the sighting of the new moon. It is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. 

Ramadan is believed to be derived from the Arabic word ramida or ar-ramad, meaning scorching heat or dryness. The name may refer to the heat of thirst and hunger during a fast, or because fasting burns away one’s past sins.

Ramadan is believed to be the month during which the prophet Muhammad received and memorised the words of the Quran from Allah near the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. Every year millions of Muslims from around the world journey to Makkah in commemoration of this sacred occasion. This journey, known as Haj, is a great achievement for Muslims, and those who complete the journey earn the right to add the title of Haji or Hajin to their name. It is the goal of every devout Muslim to make at least one journey to Makkah in his or her lifetime.

Islam uses a lunar calendar — that is, each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year.

Ramadan 2008

Ramadan in 2008 will start on Monday, the 1st of September and will continue for 30 days until Tuesday, the 30th of September.

Based on sightability of the new moon in North America, in 2008 Ramadan will start in North America a day later - on Tuesday, the 2nd of September.

In the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so most observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Sunday, the 31st of August. North American Muslims will begin their celebrations at sunset on the 1st of September.

Sudhoor

The sudhoor is a light meal eaten prior to daylight during Ramadan. The fast begins after this meal and resumes until sundown.

Iftar

Muslim faithful abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn to dusk during the lunar month of Ramadan.

The iftar is when the fast ends for the day and a halal meal may be eaten. Any type of food may be eaten, however, the most popular are honey, breads, figs, dates, fruits, and olives.

Harira, chorba or a soupy marqa are often featured in an Iftar meal. These soups are easy to digest, satisfying, economical and can be made with available meats and vegetables.

It is popular is some cultures for families to host "iftar meals", in which familes and neighbors will come for the evening meal.

Goat

Goat is a popular meat at iftar meals.  Buyers are particular interested in male and female kids with all their milk teeth (i.e. not older than at 12 months). Males can be whole or castrated. Overly fat kids are discriminated against. Optimum live weight is about 60 lbs, but weaned kids from 45 - 120 lbs. are accepted by some buyers.

Ramadan Festival

Since 2005, The Netherlands has organized an annual Ramadan Festival as a means of decreasing the fear of terrorism among non-Muslims and fighting the radicalisation of Muslim youth.  As part of the celebration, families in Amsterdam open their homes to break the fasting together in Hospitality Dinners with fellow citizens of different backgrounds and interests, and in doing so, get to know each other better.

The Fasting Handbook
Dining from an Empty Bowl