The ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar is called Ramadan, it is also the holiest month. Ramadan is the month when the angel Gabriel would review with the Prophet Mohamed (SAW) the placement of the verses of the Qur'an in the correct order. From dawn to dusk, Muslims are expected to totally abstain from all wordly desires such as food, drink and sex absolutely and from lying, anger and backbiting as much as possible. Because the lunar year is 11-12 days shorter than the solar years, some years you have to fast for a long time, and others you don't need to fast as much.

North of the Arctic circle, sunlight can last for months, making it difficult to uphold this pillar of Islam, as is the case in polar regions like Scandinavia. Darkness can also last for months, making Ramadan meaningless.

God does not intend to make Ramadan impossible for Muslims. Following this, local religious leaders have suggested fasting by the clock instead of by the sun, using the sunrise and sunset times of the holy city of Mecca as opposed to local time.

The Islamic Lunar Calendar

1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi' al-awwal
4. Rabi' al-thani
5. Jumada al-awwal
6. Jumada al-thani
7. Rajab
8. Sha'aban
9. Ramadan al Mubarak
10. Shawwal
11. Dhu al Qi'dah
12. Dhu al-Hijjah

Ramadan-vocab

Sawm – Arabic word meaning "fasting."

Suhoor – meal before beginning the daily fast.

Iftar – meal to break the daily fast.

Tarawih – special prayers offered nightly during Ramadan.

Laylat al Qadr - The Night of Decree,when the first verses of the Holy Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Mohamed (SAW)

Eid al-Fitr – Festival at the end of Ramadan, in celebration of completing the month of fasting.