This is the first week of Ramadan, a 30 day daily fast that our Muslim neighbors here observe. Our friends wake very early before the first call to prayer to have a big breakfast, because once the call sounds at around 4:30 am, all eating and drinking is forbidden. They fast all day until the sun sets, and then their fast is broken with their whole family gathered for a lavish meal.
Here is a good article I found about Ramadan:
Some of our neighbors hang lights outside their homes to celebrate the holiday. Our language teacher said her family drove around on the first night of Ramadan looking at the lights. Sound familiar?
Ramadan Kareem means "generous", because people are supposed to give generously to the poor, as well as to be generous in gifts or food to their friends or guests. It is also a time of increased focus on self-discipline, and earning Allah's favor. Help us lift up our Muslim friends to the Father, that they would seek Him with all their hearts and that He would reveal His Truth to them.
