Saturday is the first day of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia

“(Ramadan) will have four Fridays”, he added.

Muslims who fast during Ramadan abstain from eating, drinking and sex from dawn to dusk for the entire month.

Ramadan will be observed by the Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown, 535 Harmon Ave., and the Muhammad Mosque, 542 Belmont Ave. Sighting the new crescent moon is essential for the start of any month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

People shop for the the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Skopje, Macedonia on May 25, 2017. Fasting in the countries of the Arab Gulf, when Ramadan occurs during summer (June to September) could be extremely tough (as it would be this year). Fasting is obligatory for most adult Muslims.

“We fight our temptations for Allah”, Syed said.

Muslims who are capable of fasting are held accountable for their actions.

In Islam, fasting is obligatory for all the faithful with the exception of minors, the elderly and ill, mentally ill, pregnant women and nursing mothers, travelers, and soldiers. Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and have empathy for those in the world who are hungry and less fortunate. (O God! for Your sake have we fasted and now we break the fast with the food You have given us). Fasting is meant to help teach Muslims self-discipline and self-restraint. Ibrahim says so are their ecumenical cousins in the other two major monotheistic religions.

“The time of fasting is for us Muslims to keep away from all evils; if one fasts and still gets involved in backbiting and other immoralities, there is no reward for such a person, ” he said.

Tomorrow, May 27, Saturday, will be the first of Ramadan for the year 1438H, the Supreme Court was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the royal court. “We can eat, we can celebrate according to the command of Allah, and the command of the Prophet”.

Many Muslims in Muslim-majority countries, for example, observe the monthlong fast during Ramadan, according to 2012 data from the Pew Research Center.

“Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” are common greetings exchanged in this period, wishing the recipient a “blessed” and generous Ramadan.