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Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins this week, observed with sunrise-to-sunset fasting.

By Mila Koumpilova

May 17, 2018 at 5:05AM

Hassan Amin purchased limes, a lemon and some ginger at Wadajir Grocery & Halal Meat in Minneapolis on Wednesday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota Muslims are marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which is observed with dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayer and acts of charity.

With the timing of the annual observance based on a moon-sighting methodology and the lunar calendar, some U.S.-based mosques declared that fasting should begin Wednesday, while others will start observing Ramadan a day later. Among Minnesota's more than 150,000 Muslims, some began abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset Wednesday.

Muslims traditionally break the fast by eating dates and drinking water, followed by a sunset prayer and an evening meal called an iftar.

During the month, mosques across the state will host free iftars. Non-Muslims are encouraged to attend. A Minnesota Council of Churches program coordinates reservations throughout the month.

The month wraps up with a major three-day holiday called Eid al-Fitr.

Mila Koumpilova • 612-673-4781

Meliha Besher considered brown lentils while stocking up on traditional foods for evening meals to break the daily fasts of Ramadan. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Mila Koumpilova

Reporter

Mila Koumpilova wrote about higher education at the Star Tribune, where she previously covered immigration and Minnesota's immigrant communities. During more than a decade of reporting, she has been an education, general assignment and features reporter.