Source: cantonrep.com

Ramadan marks the time when Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in 610.

A Palestinian decorates a mosque in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the West Bank refugee camp of Jenin on Friday.

Today marks the start of Ramadan, the monthlong observance practiced by the world’s 1 billion Muslims, including such people as Shakeer Abdullah, a Canton native whose father is a local imam.

Ramadan marks the time when Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in 610.

“The overall spiritual message is that you, as a Muslim, are encouraged to increase you awareness of God, and to increase your awareness of your bounties year around,” Abdullah said.

Fasting from during Ramadan, is one of the “Five Pillars” or tenets of the faith. During the period, able-bodied Muslims are required to pray and abstain from food, drink, tobacco and… read more at cantonrep.com