For centuries, Muslims from around the world have observed the fast during the holy month of Ramadan abstaining from food, water, smoking, and other sensual pleasures from the break of dawn to sunset. Ramadan falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Al-Hijrah, and was the month in which the first verses of the holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Ramadan is a lunar month, and begins about eleven days earlier each year.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The fast is a requirement for every able Muslim from the age of puberty and is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit. By fasting, Muslims are adhering to God’s commandments and learn discipline, self-purification, self-restraint, generosity and compassion for those less fortunate. During Ramadan Muslims study and recite passages from the entire Qur’an, attend mosques, lectures, strengthen family and community ties, and engage in frequent social visits.

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting..." (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185)

This year American Muslims will observe Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr while other Americans celebrate their religious and cultural holidays as well. As American Muslims continue their fast of Ramadan into December, Jews will celebrate Hanukkah (Dec. 3-10), Christians will celebrate Christmas (Dec. 25), and African-Americans will observe Kwanzaa (Dec. 26). The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called "Eid ul-Fitr," or Feast of the Fast-Breaking, estimated to take place on December 27, 2000.

As has been customary since the early 1990s, President Clinton wished Ramadan greetings to the over 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide. In his announcement this year, President Clinton said, “As America's six-million-member Muslim community grows in numbers and prominence, Americans of every religious tradition are learning more about the origins and meaning of Islam. That on "the Night of Power," the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the first verses of the Koran. That the Koran declares that Ramadan was the month Allah's words were sent down, and so should be spent in fasting…As the fasting of Ramadan begins, I pray people of all faiths may come to appreciate this precious wisdom of the Koran.”

Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power" or "Night of Destiny") marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan. An entire chapter in the Quran deals with this night:

"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: and what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every errand. Peace!...This until the rise of morn. (Chapter 97 in Arabic and English Audio)

President Clinton added that he welcomed Islam in America saying, “It enriches our country with Islam's teachings of self-discipline, compassion and commitment to family. It deepens America's respect for Muslims here at home and around the world, from Indonesia to Pakistan, the Middle East and Africa.”

For American Muslim groups, Ramadan has served as a means to educate the American public about the holidays of Muslims and the Islamic faith. Every year, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based Islamic advocacy group, releases a “Ramadan Publicity Resource Kit.” The kit is designed to assist American Muslims in publicizing Ramadan events and activities to the media and to educate America about an important holiday celebrated by a large segment of American society.

"During this time of crisis in the Holy land, the fast of Ramadan offers people of all faiths an opportunity to learn more about Islam and about the Islamic community in America," said Nihad Awad, Executive Director of CAIR.

Some events planned by American Muslims to educate Americans about Islam during Ramadan include organizing moon sighting events, open house at local mosques and Islamic centers, Eid bazaars, public lectures on Ramadan and Islamic solutions for societal problems, Iftars for the homeless, and canned food drives.