Ramadan 2020

Presidential Message on Ramadan, 2020 

I wish all Muslims, both in the United States and across the world, a blessed and peaceful Ramadan.
For millions around the globe, this holy month is an opportunity to renew and strengthen their faith through rigorous fasting, devout prayer, reflective meditation, reading the Quran, and charitable deeds.  These acts are closely aligned with the universal values that the Islamic faith promotes—peace, kindness, and love and respect for others.

Over the past months, we have seen how important the power of prayer can be during challenging times.  Today, as the holy month of Ramadan commences, I pray that those who are observing this sacred time find comfort and reassurance in their faith.

Ramadan Mubarak.

How coronavirus has changed Ramadan for Muslims this year

(CNN)Thursday marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan for many Muslims.

But with so many places of worship closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the holiday will be a bit different this year.

Here's a look at what traditions will remain in place, and how others might change.

How it's normally celebrated

Ramadan starts on the evening of April 23 and culminates on May 23. Over the 30-day period, Muslims fast during the daylight hours, a practice that is seen as one of the five pillars of Islam. They can eat before sunrise, and break their fast after dusk each day.

Muslims believe their Holy Book, the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed during this holy month. Besides abstinence from food and water, Muslims are asked to abstain from sexual intercourse as well.

During the month, Muslims also try to practice "zakat," or charity, another one of the five pillars of Islam.

According to a 2017 survey published by the Pew Research Center, 80% of American Muslims observe the holy month by fasting.

The Arabic etymology of Ramadan references extreme heat. Fasting therefore becomes the spiritual process of burning away sin with good deeds.

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U.S.

WHEN IS RAMADAN 2020? U.S. START DATE, PRAYER TIMES AND CALENDAR DETAILS

Muslims across the U.S. are gearing up to observe the religious holiday of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting that helps followers of the religion reflect on what they are grateful for.

But with the coronavirus pandemic affecting the nation, how will this impact Ramadan?

When is Ramadan?

According to the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects, determining the start of the holy month is dependent on the physical sighting of a new moon. The present of Ramadan should be observed after the sunset of the 29th day of Sha'ban–the month preceding Ramadan. If the moon is not seen, then Ramadan starts after 30 days of Sha'ban.
This year, the holy month of fasting will begin on the evening of April 23, and will end on the evening of May 23, in the U.S. Daytime fasting for Ramadan starts and ends at different times and runs for different lengths across the world due to sunrise and sunset being governed by latitude. The below graph, with data from islamicfinder.org and provided by Statista, shows the different fasting times across the globe.

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