Muslims’ Holy Month of Ramadan Begins Monday

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, commemorating the period when the Prophet Muhammad was said to receive the revelation of the Koran, begins Monday.

During Ramadan, believers in Islam fast during the day and offer special prayers, known as Taravih prayers, at night following the last of five daily prayers recited throughout the year.

Fasting, or sawm in Arabic, is one of the faith’s five pillars. By abstaining from food and sex during the day, Muslims believe that their willpower will be strengthened to resist temptation throughout the year. It also helps strengthen understanding of the needs of the poor.

There are an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Muslims in Southern California and 43 mosques, said Aslam Abdullah, chief editor of the Minaret, a magazine published by the Islamic Center of Southern California, 434 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.

Maher Hathout, chairman of the center, said readings of the Koran, the Islamic holy book, by special reciters from Egypt will be held twice every night during Ramadan, which ends in mid-March.

Meals will be served daily following the fast, which ends after sunset each day following the fourth of the five daily prayers.

Those who cannot pay for the meals at the Islamic Center of Southern California will be served free of charge, Hathout said. He said participants need not be Muslim.