Ramadan is a season of fasting for Muslims worldwide where they abstain from food, drink, and other pleasures during the daylight hours.  It is a time of extreme discipline for the individual where they spend much time in prayer and seek to learn patience, humility and surrender to God.  It occurs during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and therefore "floats" each year moving backwards in the standard calendar approximately eleven days.

During this month of fasting, a Muslim typically will wake around 4:00am for prayers, food and water before the sun rises.  Once there is light, no food or drink will touch the lips of the prayerful adherent until the setting sun.  The evening fast-breaking meal, Iftar, takes place after Maghrib (sunset) prayers are complete.  Not only is extra time spent in prayer during this month, but many Muslims have a more intentional focus on reading the Qur'an.  Many will read through the entire Qur'an during this 30 day period.