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Islamic community begins Ramadan at sundown Friday

As the sun sets Friday evening, Muslim’s in Grand Rapids and around the world will begin the Islam holy month of Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, healthy adults abstain from eating or drinking anything from dawn until sundown.

“Fasting is a procedure which purifies your spirit, your physical body, and your imagination, everything; and connects you with God,” Iman Sharif Sahibzada of the the Islamic Center and Mosque of Grand Rapids said.

The most holy month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is believed to be the month in which the Prophet Muhammad revealed the Quran to the Prophet Mohammad. According to the Pew Research Center, only 1% of Michigan residents identify themselves as Muslim, making the local Islamic community in Grand Rapids a small and tight knit group.

At the end of the month, many will gather for and end of Ramadan celebration called Eidi al-fitr, and says, it’s quite the feast.

“Every home prepares a nice tasty cultural food and they enjoy it.”

Until then he says, "Ramadan Mubarak," meaning, have a good Ramamdan.

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