6 things you need to know about Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn until sunset when they gather with family and friends to break the fast with prayers and a meal.

• The fast is performed to learn self-discipline and self-restraint, while obeying God's commandments and to achieve God-consciousness.

• Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam.

• Fasting is prescribed when children reach the age of puberty.

• Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary. A lunar month is marked by the appearance of a new crescent moon and may last only 29 days. The lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year.

• This year Ramadan is expected to begin Tuesday evening with Muslims marking the first day of fasting on Wednesday.

• The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called "Eid al-Fitr," or Feast of the Fast-Breaking.

SOURCE: Daily Herald research