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March 15, 2010

Ramadan starts Monday

— From staff reports

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins Monday and lasts until Sept. 30.

Fasting from sunrise until sunset during the entire month -- the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar -- is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.

But most observances of the holy month are done in private, Abdullah Ahmed, a member of the Islamic Society of Portland, which meets at 73 Portland St.

''It is a time for Muslims to reflect and to be thankful to Allah for what he has given you,'' Ahmed said. ''It is also a time of charity, which is usually given in the form of food to one family, so they can feed themselves.''

The evening meal when the fast is broken is often a time of sharing with other Muslim families, Ahmed said. When Ramadan ends, he said, the mosque often holds a large gathering in a public place, but a time or site for this year's event, if one is going to be held, has not yet been selected.

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