RAMADAN

The holiest month on the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims with daytime fasting and devotion, will begin next week after the first appearance of the new moon’s crescent. The Islamic Center of Southern California has calculated that Tuesday will be the first day of the fast, but other centers have indicated that the observance should begin Wednesday.

TRADITION: Ramadan is the month on the lunar calendar when the Prophet Mohammed (570-632) was said to have received the first revelations of the Koran, the holy scriptures of Islam. Fasting is one of the pillars, or obligations, of the faith.

OBSERVANCES: Faithful Muslims are expected to neither eat nor drink between daybreak and dark during the 28-day month with exceptions made for the very young and old, the sick, pregnant women and those with physical problems. If necessary, the fasting time may be made up at another time or by contributions to feed the poor. The period brings together families and friends for evening dinners and Koran reading and prayer. Humility and compassion toward others is emphasized. The month ends with the sighting or calculated appearance of the next new moon.