There are about 7.6 billion people in the world. And during Ramadan, around 24% of them -- 1.8 billion -- are fasting from sunup to sundown. Every day. For an entire month.
But what if you're not a Muslim -- just a caring, considerate person. Is there anything you should do so you don't come across as insensitive to your fasting friends in the US during Ramadan?1. You can totally eat in front of us ...
For the 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. That doesn't mean you shouldn't carry on business as usual. If you have to host a brown-bag, you should. But don't feel bad if we sit there, like a vegetarian friend at a churrascaria. Ditto for a happy-hour mixer. If your Muslim co-worker takes a pass, understand.3. You don't have to fast with us ...
You can if you want to see what it feels like. But it's not going to hurt our feelings -- even if we're best friends.Iftar is the breaking of the fast after sundown. We like to make it a big communal meal. You should come. A Muslim woman walks on "sea of sands" as she prepares for prayer at Parangkusumo Beach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.Ramadan isn't like Christmas or Thanksgiving, as in everyone knows exactly when it'll fall. It bounces around, because the Islamic calendar is lunar. When it begins depends on when the new moon is seen. That's why the precise dates change from year to year.How we determine when Ramadan begins is decidedly old-school: You have to physically see the moon .
Young Muslims devotees take a "selfie" prior to Friday prayers to mark the end of Ramadan last year in Manila, Philippines.No, we can't drink. Not even water. But we'll walk with you if you want to take a break.One word: Halitosis. You try not eating or drinking for the entire day. That's why we're standing a foot away from you when we talk.Ulet Ifansasti/Getty ImagesThere's no"war on Christmas"-level controversy surrounding the greeting .
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