Nearly three million Americans are Muslims, and many of them will be fasting from sun up to sun down from June 18 – July 17, 2015. Because the dates of Ramadan are based on a lunar calendar, they vary each year, coming a few days sooner than the previous year’s observance.

Not all Muslims fast during Ramadan—pregnant women, children, and the sick are not expected to fast. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, however, so all who are physically able are supposed to fast. Some fast from all food and liquid, with the super scrupulous trying not to even swallow their own saliva. Others fast just from food, but since 23.2% of the global population identify as Muslims (1.6 billion people), a vast number of people will be fasting.

Most will rise very early each day, in order to eat a large breakfast before the sun rises. Then, once the signal for sunset has been given, they will join with friends and families to eat a large supper in a joyous celebration.

Why do they do it? To honor their religious traditions, to fulfill one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and to ask God (Allah) reveal himself to them. Especially at the end of Ramadan, after being purified by the fasting, during the Night of Power, millions will be asking God to reveal himself to them. Many will pray all night.

What can you do?

1. Be compassionate and understanding of your Muslims neighbors who are fasting. Tempers can be frayed as the long, hot days progress.

2. Be polite, and do not eat or drink in front of someone who you know is fasting.

3. Use this topic as a conversation starter with your Muslim neighbors and co-workers. Ask if they are fasting. Be prepared to explain that Christians also fast, but not in the same way.

4. Pray with your Muslim neighbors that God would, indeed, reveal Himself to them during Ramadan. Many Muslims have reported having dreams and visions of Jesus during Ramadan. Many of our brothers and sisters first confronted the reality of who Jesus is during Ramadan. I have personally heard amazing testimonies from over a dozen of our brothers and sisters in Turkey, telling of how Christ appeared to them in a dream, and how it led them to look for a church, a Bible, or a believer to explain more to them. You may check out a video about Muslims coming to Christ through dreams from our church library: More Than Dreams: The Amazing Phenomenon of Jesus’ Appearing to Muslims in Dreams.

5. Educate yourself about this worldwide observance by going to 30DaysPrayer.com, or purchase a copy of 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, ISBN 978-0-9864128-9-9.

May God reveal Himself to YOU in a new way as you intentionally pray for your Muslim neighbors!