The First Day of Ramadan

I saw the crescent Moon tonight...the first spotting of it (which probably occurred yesterday but it was raining here last night) marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. For the next month, Muslims must fast from sunrise to sunset...no food, no water and no sex (although it makes sense, I have always found it odd that it seems to be considered part of the fast!)

Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, so it drifts. Each year it stars about 11 days earlier. I remember several years ago it was in November (that was 2003...I remember a Muslim friend commenting about it at the time). Now you might notice that when Ramadan is in December, well sunrise to sunset fast isn't so bad. In June and July, I imagine it would be a little more trying with the longer days. And I admit I occasionally wonder weird things like what if a Muslim lives north of the Arctic Circle and its light 24 hours a day? One source I found says they go by the sunrise and sunset times in Mecca.

Last year we had the first Muslim in space during Ramadan and they issued special rules for him in space. I mean, you get about 18 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours and its pretty tough to stay constantly facing Mecca while in orbit (and keeling isn't so easy either!)

I have looked up the proper greeting, so I leave with with Ramadan Mubarak and Salaam.