Eastern Iowa Muslims celebrate Ramadan (Photos)

The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by fasting during daylight hours along with time dedicated to prayer and reflection, charity and social gatherings with family, friends and neighbors. Ramadan follows a lunar calendar, in 2011 it started at sundown on July 31st and concludes on August 30th with Eid Al-Fitr, a celebration of the conclusion of the holy month.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - During the holy month of Ramadan Muslims fast during daylight hours, abstaining from food or drink despite the long daylight hours and heat of summer. Ramadan follows a lunar calendar, in 2011 it started at sundown on July 31st and concludes on August 30th with Eid Al-Fitr, a celebration of the conclusion of the holy month.

 

Omar Dewan of Cedar Rapids pours cups of lemonade as Muslims gathered at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids prepare to break the day’s fast at sundown on Saturday, August 6, 2011.

 

Faraz Khan of Cedar Rapids recites the azan, the call to prayer, at sundown at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids on Saturday, August 6, 2011. During the holy month of Ramadan the call to prayer at sundown also marks the time when the fast, which lasts from sunrise to sunset, can be broken.

 

After breaking the fast with water or lemonade and dates at sundown the prayer room at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids is full during prayer on Saturday, August 6, 2011.

 

(from left) Sham Sulallan of Cedar Rapids, Naveed Ashraf of Marion and Muhammad Rahim of Cedar Rapids pray at sundown at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids.

 

Rubina Chowdhury of Cedar Falls (left) and Sakera Sultana of Cedar Rapids laugh as they fill plates during a Ramadan fast breaking at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids.

 

Fourteen-year old Judy Elhaddall of Cedar Rapids digs into her plate as thirteen-year-old Fatima Sabbah of Cedar Rapids serves herself from the buffet during a Ramadan fast breaking at the Muslim American Society in Cedar Rapids.