El Paso Muslims share the meaning of Ramadan

Muslim leaders at the Islamic Center of El Paso shared the important message of Ramadan, their holy month.

From dusk to dawn, spanning around 30 days, Muslims fast to regain closeness to Allah, the word for God in Arabic.

“We are trying, in this month, to learn to balance between the needs of the soul and the need of the body,” said Imam Nabil El Fallah.

Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is an Abrahamic faith. Fasting during Ramadan can be compared to the Catholic Lenten season.

The month is based off of the Islamic calendar, and happens 12 days earlier every year.

During the long hot days of summer it can be a challenge to forgo food and drinks, including water.

“God is telling you, you are strong enough to change yourself to be better,”El Falah said.

Pregnant women, children, the sick and elderly are not obliged to fast, instead they are called to help the poor.

“At the end of this month we’re supposed to have a strong connection with almighty God,” El Falah said.