The Islamic holiday Ramadan is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection on Islam.

Ramadan officially begins when a new moon is spotted, which was Oct. 4 this year and was visible in other countries Oct. 3, according to the Islamic Society of North America. In the United States, Ramadan officially began Oct. 5.

“Some states and countries didn’t see it and some did,” said Hiba Abdallah, a senior finance major and co-president of the Muslim Student Association. “I had called my mother in Palestine, which is eight hours ahead of us, and she said everyone was fasting on Tuesday, so I began fasting on Tuesday as well.”

Ramadan is a holy month that consists of fasting for 29 to 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar. The basic daily routine begins with waking up an hour before the morning prayer, which occurs before the sun rises, said Yasir Khan, a senior accountancy major and MSA member.

Following breakfast is a prayer that states the intention of fasting in the sake of Allah and then praying the Morning Prayer. A sunset prayer breaks the fast in the evening.

While fasting, nothing is to be put in one’s mouth and nothing is to be swallowed – including smoking, Abdallah said. It is encouraged before Fajr (dawn) that Muslims wake and eat something so the “hunger isn’t overwhelming during the day,” she said.

Mosques serve free food to all students during Ramadan, said Basam Yacoub, a senior OMIS major and MSA IT specialist. It is recommended, but not mandatory for one to go to the mosque to pray. Praying five times a day is mandatory and a person can pray anywhere, making sure the place where he will pray is clean, he said.

During Ramadan, Abdallah’s family invites close friends and family over for dinner.

Eid Mubarak begins the last day of Ramadan, Khan said. During this time, families get together and give gifts and “forget old grudges held upon each other,” he said.

“[Eid Mubarak] is a celebration for all those people who fast for the whole month,” Khan said. “They ignored their self desires just for the sake of Allah and seek forgiveness for all those deeds which are forbidden or not recommended in Islam.”

Abdallah said her family exchanges gifts, has get-togethers and sacrifices a lamb. The sacrificing of the lamb is common overseas, she said. The meat is divided among poor families.

“Ramadan means so many things for me,” Abdallah said. “It’s like a spiritual cleansing, for through fasting, I am taught discipline and I try to rid myself of sins. Also, during this time, I am more in tune with my religious beliefs – I pray more, I am more patient, and most importantly, I turn to Allah more than I ever do. Ramadan reminds me of so many things that I may tend to forget or ignore and it brings me back to them.”