Our Muslim brothers and sisters will begin observing Ramadan this week. Keeping Ramadan is one of the pillars of living a life faithful to Islam. It is a time to focus on the spiritual aspects of life and grow closer to God.

Ramadan lasts about a month. Since the starting and ending dates are determined by a lunar calendar, Ramadan can take place at any time of the year. During Ramadan, Muslims will fast from food and drink during daylight hours, from sunrise to sundown. Since Ramadan this year occurs so close to the summer solstice, the faithful will not eat or drink from before 6 a.m. until after 8 p.m. — that’s 14 hours! (There are exceptions for children, for those who are ill, and for pregnant women and nursing mothers.) It’s not unusual for folks to wake up very early in the morning, eat something, and go back to sleep until it’s time to start the day. That way, they can eat something before they begin their work day. Once the sun sets, families and friends gather to break their fast together.

More than that, people fast from gossip, jealousy, anger, and anything else that can distract them from their love of God and neighbor. They pray more and are more generous to charity.

So, why am I posting about this? For a few reasons:

• If you live in a community with Muslim neighbors, be extra kind. This is a challenging spiritual discipline.
• Occasional fasting a good experience for most of us. It reminds us that we are more than the physical, that we need God, and that we have a responsibility to those who do without every day.
• The practice of Ramadan is a living reminder that we operate on God’s time, not our own.
• The feasts that break each day’s fast remind us of the value of community and sharing a meal. When was the last time you were a guest in someone’s home? When did you last invite someone over?
• What do you need to fast from? How can you be more generous?

For those who observe, Ramadan Kareem.