What is Ramadan to a Christian in America?

AOA NEWS
By Ernest Britton

INDIANA - Many Christians in the USA, and around the world this week are asking, "What is this Ramadan" and "How do I respond to it" with respect? Similar to Easter's relationship to Christianity, Ramadan is the greatest religious observance in the Islamic faith. It is an annual month of fasting (Christians have Lent) and it began on August 1 around the world and will finish on or around August 29, 2011. All Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Qu'ran. The official greeting for Ramadan, for non-Muslims and non-Arabic speakers is "Happy Ramadan."