Ramadan begins this week. The pre-sunrise-to-sunset fast lasts 12–18 hours, depending on location.
Muslims believe the first words of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad over 1,400 years ago during Ramadan.
To increase "taqwa" (God consciousness), the fast prohibits eating,
drinking, smoking, and sexual activity during daylight hours.
Ramadan starts 10–12 days earlier each year.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar Hijri calendar with 29 or 30-day months.
According on the new moon, Mecca will begin fasting on Thursday, March 23.
Ramadan will begin on January 5 and December 25 in 2030 because the lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year.