BEIRUT — Muslims across the Middle East and beyond began Tuesday marking the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most celebrated holidays for the world's 1.5 billion Muslims, amid confusion about the start of the three-day holiday fed partly by political differences. The holiday marks the end of...
What Ramadan Means to Muslims: 4 Essential Reads
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world will not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. (GV Wire publisher Darius Assemi offers a personal perspective on the Ramadan tradition of fasting in the video above.) Muslims believe the sacred text of Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad in...
Taliban Attack U.S.-Based Aid Group Office in Afghan Capital, Kill 5
KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters attacked the offices of a U.S.-based aid organization in the Afghan capital Wednesday, setting off a huge explosion and battling security forces in an assault that lasted more than six hours and killed at least five people, the Interior Ministry said. Dozens of civilian vehicles...
Here are 6 Things You Should Know About Ramadan
Editor’s note: Mohammad Hassan Khalil, associate professor of religious studies and director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University, answers six questions about the significance of the Muslim month of fasting. Why is Ramadan called Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and lasts...
Here are 6 Things You Should Know About Ramadan.
Editor’s note: Mohammad Hassan Khalil, associate professor of religious studies and director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University, answers six questions about the significance of the Muslim month of fasting. Why is Ramadan called Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and lasts...
Valley Muslims End Ramadan With Feast & Charitable Gifts
Valley Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan with prayers, food and gifts to charity Friday morning at the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno. The Eid al-Fitr feast marks the end of  29 or 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting. "Eid Mubarak" is a greeting and phrase used by Muslims during Eid and means "blessed...
Final Days of #RamadanFast: Self-Control Is Real. So Is 'Hangry.'
What is Ramadan? The short version is, Ramadan is about fasting and spiritual growth. And it occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. What's more, it lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is visible. You can learn more about Ramadan at this link. The #RamadanFast...
Trump Revives Ramadan Dinner But Makes Few Friends
President Donald Trump brought back the Iftar dinner Wednesday, an event honoring Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. But the president received criticism — just as Trump did last year when he skipped a two-decade tradition of hosting a Ramadan reception. Most of the dinner guests were from Washington's diplomatic community and...
Day 9: Finally, #RamadanFast Gets a Little Easier
What is Ramadan? The short version is, Ramadan is about fasting and spiritual growth. And it occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. What's more, it lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is visible. You can learn more about Ramadan at this link. The #RamadanFast...
Day 7: When Will I Lose Weight on #RamadanFast?
What is Ramadan? The short version is, Ramadan is about fasting and spiritual growth. And it occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. What's more, it lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is visible. You can learn more about Ramadan at this link. The #RamadanFast...