#I am praying for him and the rest of Gaza

[damascusgirl]

Forget Taylor Swift, this is MY person of the year.

[amalfamily2000]

Don't be wronged by someone who is wronged‼️

Every day that passes, you are shocked by the amount of hatred, this world, the amount of lies and hypocrisy that is inside every bad person. We are subjected to injustice to false accusations to this degree, your hearts are made of stone. I wonder if the truth of your conscience and humanity can do that. Thank you, someone who has supported me despite everything. I will not forget your support. I know despite the bitterness of the days and the difficulty of what we live, we fight, and life in Gaza has become like a slow death that remains and the strongest person lives💔

My little family, my ten-year-old son Mohammed was martyred as a result of not receiving him in a timely manner. I asked everyone, but unfortunately, a scientist who was busy with a new accusation. I will not forgive anyone who accused my family. By God, I will not give in to your accusations. I will fight for the rest of my family. I hope you support me. You pray for my son who left for the rest of my family🙏

@feluka @beserkerjewel @buttercuparry @brenna @bryo-zoan @memingursa @girlinafairytale @giuliadrawsstuff @kordeliiius @khanger @katagawajr @leninthesixth @akajustmerry @foolisharsonist @eori-namo @uimanhosa @yesterdaysprint @wolfythewitch @wellwaterhysteria @huckleberrycomics @heliopixels @halalchampagnesocialist

[yesimtrashforit]

Ok, first and foremost, Rest In Peace Liam Payne. I was never really a listener of One Direction, but you can't deny that he had a wonderful talent and made an impact on so many people's lives. He made so many people happy and that is a beautiful thing. I really wish his family and friends comfort and peace during this hard time. The stuff that TMZ did was absolutely disgusting, by the way. Completely inhumane and disrespectful. Losing a family member, a friend, a brother, is one of the hardest things in the world and that happening with media swarming over every detail is not normal. My condolences to them.

Now, as a long-time fan of Stranger Things, I recently heard that SOME people are saying some absolutely terrible things like "why liam, it should've been noah schnapp." I know I've avoided posting about Noah's whole controversy because I know that it's a touchy subject for so many people and the reason I usually come on here is to provide a break from that chaos and bring people together.

It is my opinion that no matter what you think of Noah and what he has said or not said, it is certainly disrespectful to Liam Payne's family, friends, and memory to rope in a completely unrelated situation to all this.

I think it's somewhat pointless to even form a strong opinion on his situation, considering that these are people most of us have never and will never meet or know personally. These are real people. I can't believe that is something that gets confused and forgotten.

Putting that somewhat aside for a second, I just feel so strongly about standing up to hate and prejudice especially when it results in bullying. You may agree with what I say, you may disagree and that is fine. But at the end of the day, if you're wishing someone you don't even know dead, you're a part of this problem.

Like I said, I obviously don't know Noah personally, and I'm not going to be the person who's like "well, he clearly has good intentions!" because I don't know that. Taking a surface-level opinion on this, I think it is kind of understandable for people to think of him as a bit ignorant for what he's said or done. We're human beings, we're judgy as hell. Despite that, it is unjustifiable to send homophobic and anti-semetic messages to anyone. No one deserves that. I really hope that Noah is staying safe through all this. I wouldn't wish this upon anyone. This conflict overseas is messy and complicated and I believe it is counterproductive to focus on people's opinions about it, rather than the issue as a whole.

Whether he likes it or not, Noah has influence and it's a tricky thing. No one is perfect and we should stop expecting that from people who we don't know. And that's that. Things may or may not have been misrepresented or misconstrued, but that is irrelevant in this case. He's a young actor with a platform and he has used that to voice how he feels. He may or may not fully understand what the implications of that are and that is not my place to judge. Has his opinion on this conflict changed the fact that hundreds of thousands of people for the past year have been massacred and are going through unimaginable suffering? Likely, no.

But I understand people's anger.

Like so many of you, I am absolutely appalled and disgusted and heartbroken by the loss and pain that has been happening overseas and I am deeply frustrated and angered that the IDF and Hamas are committing and have committed these atrocities against innocent people. Families that have been torn apart, homes and businesses and schools gone. Words cannot express how unbelievably horrific that is. From human being to human being, I sincerely and deeply hope that this will end. Every human life is so precious and valuable. Please please please remember that.

To anyone in Gaza or anyone who has been affected by this, I can't imagine what you're going through, but know that there's millions of people overseas who are praying and hoping for your safety and happiness. Everyone deserves a chance at a safe, healthy and secure life.

No matter where you stand, I implore you to not get caught up in petty drama and remember what really matters: donating, memorializing people who've lost their lives, supporting others in need and spreading peace and love in the face of violence.

Violence is never the answer.

Be kind and respectful to one another.

Once again, rest in peace Liam. You are very loved and missed.

I know I mainly focused on Noah's situation here, but that is not what matters right now. I just wanted to get that out there. Instead, let's remember a great and talented musician today, okay?

-Allie

[jthezombshark]

Dear Friends,

I write to you with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. After 188 days of displacement, constant fear, and struggling to survive, we managed to escape with our lives and reach Egypt. But the pain didn’t stop there. Just yesterday, we lost my children's grandfather 💔, not due to direct war, but because of malnutrition and the lack of basic life necessities. We couldn’t save him, just as we couldn’t save our home or our dreams.

The rest of my family is still trapped in the war, suffering the same harsh conditions that led to the passing of my children's grandfather. We are here trying to build a new life, but we have lost everything. We lost our home, and my children were deprived of their schools and universities. Even my eldest son, who worked so hard to build his future, lost his job and saw his dreams shattered.😔

We are now in desperate need of your help. We seek to secure a safe home that will provide us and our children with basic needs. Life in Egypt is extremely difficult, and prices are soaring beyond our reach. All we ask for is a chance to rebuild our lives and secure a better future for our children.🙏🏼

From the depths of my heart, I ask you to stand by us in these difficult times. Your support means hope and life to us.🙌🏼🇵🇸

https://gofund.me/59e9578a

I just made a post with your GoFundMe link! I do not have any money myself to donate but I can spread the link as much as I can! I hope your family can escape Gaza and stay somewhere safe🙏❤️ I am praying for you 🇵🇸

[mywritings]

Rest O Martyrs of Gaza

O Martyrs of Gaza, rest now in gardens of lush green paradise after the hell that you were put through.

O Martyrs of Gaza, enjoy the peace and serenity that comes with the rewards of the Lord. We send you our greetings of peace and our apologies. 

O Martyrs of Gaza, We couldn’t do anything but we sat on the side, looking at our phones in horror as you screamed. Wept. Burned. Died. We couldn’t do anything and we will carry you in our hearts till the last day we breathe.

Is the Lord pleased with you? I’m sure he is. Tell our Lord. To the angels around to help aid the lost, dispossessed, the helpless. I want to ask Allah, Where were you? But I am afraid my question echoes back to me, Where were you, my son? 

O Hind, be joyful that you are in arms of the Lord, but we will remain sorrowful as we have lost a precious flower like you. The soul of our soul is now back safely. Rejoice, O hind and take comfort in Him. 

Rest O Martyrs of Gaza, Rest now and Pray for us. - Omkar Bhange

[wastedawayagaininmargaritaville]

I’m not trying to like keep tabs on what/who posts about Palestine, or like I am but I don’t know if I fully subscribe to it as a metric for whether or not I will continue to associate with people and/or assume it correlates with their actions irl. But now I think I’m starting to because how the fuck am I following people who have not shared shit about Gaza for weeks and now they’re sharing not only tributes to AB, but fucking telling him to “rest in power”. Dude was ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY. He had a guilty conscience regardless of Israel’s most recent escalation to all out genocide and I think if he had self immolated for no reason besides his own recognition at that fact, no one would be batting an eye.

Like I think people really do sit around and pray for individuals to someday have some great awakening and realize the “truth” of the side they’ve been fighting for, and defect. No need to work to organize people or educate or challenge. Just wait for them to realize it individually and have a great renewal arc. Americans are OBSESSED with the idea of a defector. People see someone in fatigues protesting the US military and it holds 1000x significance to them than a Palestinian putting on a kuffiyeh and protesting the same military.

[legilimensims]

i know i have been *very* vocal about my support of ukraine during the current russian invasion, and pretty much silent about what’s happening in palestine and israel. the reason being: i have ukrainian friends, my mother has ukrainians friends and colleagues, and i feel i am much more educated on the matter to comfortably have a strong opinion and a strong position to defend, no hesitation.

one thing i’ve noticed since october 7th being online most of my time, being a member of community notes on twitter (x…whatever) and fact-checking a hell of a lot of stuff, trying to educate myself, is…how quickly narrative spins. how quickly misinformation spreads. how quickly one nation is labelled the victim, then the aggressor, and vice versa. how quickly and promptly acts of immeasurable, atrocious violence were justified - some sort of perverse “well she was wearing a skirt so she brought it on herself, she deserved it” - and called it “resistance”. how quickly antisemitism escalated (like, don’t even deny this), jews around the world experiencing hate crimes, stuff we thought was left behind after ww2. how quickly palestinians as a whole are called terrorists, and actual terrorist supporters gleefully celebrate beheadings whilst in the comfort of the democratic countries in which they were born in or found refuge. how quickly a country can be accused of fabricating/staging video evidence of atrocities just because of its flag and preexisting hate.

i don’t think i’ve ever witnessed this much hate around the world, it’s…abhorrent. people (again, from the comfort and protection of their democratic, free countries) wishing others to experience pain and suffering and being remembered as murderers for stating an opinion and supporting a specific side? like what. the. hell. we’ve reached a new low as a collective.

i have a lot of opinions, but to comment on the latest happenings i think that the blame of this current escalation solely lies on israeli politicians currently in charge, they were just waiting for the opportunity to level gaza to the ground and no foreign government could’ve done a thing - i saw how fast some are pointing their fingers at the usa especially and, speaking as a staunch biden supporter, i firmly believe that, naively and stupidly, nobody expected that by following international law, the right of defence, the israeli president would commit genocide as a retaliation to a terrorist attack. i expect the usa and the rest of the world’s democratic governments to firmly condemn this.

speaking of, it is also my belief that the perpetrators of the attack against israeli civilians backed by other dictatorial countries, absolutely 100% knew what they were doing. they knew israel would retaliate, and they knew this situation would create disagreements among nations - look at the hate towards biden, only him as usual. somehow the decisions of other countries' presidents are always magically his fault, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. you just have to thank your gods biden is in the white house right now and not puZZin's puppet the orange tangerine, elections are next year and you have to pray he wins 2024 and not only because he's the best, most succesful president the usa have had in fucking years and yet americans are too stupid and ungrateful to see it; if you are american and are like "nah i'm not voting him because blah blah" you ARE NOT in the position to have a 3rd party candidate, if you don't vote biden you ARE handing the victory to extreme far-right politicians - don't you dare come crying & blame the other side when republicans obliterate your rights, your medicare, your social security, they WILL impose a christian theocracy on you, if biden is not the democratic candidate or if he loses you are fucked. YOU. ARE. FUCKED. and the world's gonna be even more disastrous. i won't hear any arguments on this.

destabilizing and undermining global democracy is the point of the two most prominent current wars and in the end it’s always the innocents who pay the hardest price.

to conclude this world salad…idk. it’s all so overwhelming, and discouraging, and i feel in conflict with myself for “sympathizing” with both sides, to a degree.

i just want people to live in peace.

[alternamarian]

Save Mohammed ….

Hello, Please Help Me – My Son May Die at Any Moment. Donate or at Least Share This Appeal. I am in desperate need of your help. My son’s life is hanging by a thread, and he may not survive without urgent medical treatment. Time is running out, and we are facing a critical situation. I am asking for your generosity to help us save him – either through a donation or by sharing this urgent plea with others.

I beg you, kiss your feet, to help my son. My son may die at any moment

Donate now:👇👇 gofundme.com

gaza #free_palestine #Save_Mohammed #genocide

Hello. I am so sorry I have not the means to donate, or provide tangible aid. I may only pray for you, your son, the rest of your family, and the end of this war.

And there is no need to kiss my feet when I am the one who must ask forgiveness. I am so sorry.

[pocketdialer]

Hello, I am Lina from Gaza. I am 21 years old.

My beloved father, the occupation killed him and left me and the rest of my sisters as orphans. There is no one to care for us or provide us with the basic necessities of life.

I am the eldest of my brothers and I take care of a family of 9 people. I have taken on more responsibility than I do when I am 21 years old. I feel sad and sad when one of my brothers asks me for food and clothes and I cannot provide it for them because I do not have money.

Please help me I swear to you that I am not a beggar, but life has become narrow for me. 😭😭😭😭😭I was like you, a spoiled girl. I have my beautiful home and my university, where I built my dreams. 😭😭😭But the rain has drowned us and the cold is eating away at our bones. Help us buy a new tent made of nylon. Our tent is very small and made of cloth. It does not protect us from It rained and they helped me buy blankets for heating and winter clothes😭😭🌨️🌨️

Please donate $40 or $50 to me

i will pray for you and your families safety and will contribute what i can

to my followers please consider contributing to this vetted gfm!!

[vere-licious]

Hello,

My name is Anas Al Burri. I am 17 years old, and I live in G*za. My sister has jaundice because she gave birth to her child in an unhygienic area during the war. She has no medication, and her condition is worsening, almost life-threatening. She is too ill to produce milk for her son, and we can't get milk from anywhere else. I have no medication for my diabetes! I am missing insulin, and my blood sugar is critically high, often above 180 and sometimes even 400. I suffer from hyperglycemia attacks and can't get to a hospital because we are in the northern part of G*za.

Three months ago, my 14-year-old brother Ahmad was searching for something to eat when he was sh*ot in the ch*est by sni*pers from a kilometer away. The bul*let went straight through his body. He was just a CHILD! We still can't believe it and keep thinking he will come back any moment. We didn't even have time to mourn him before the next family members were kill*ed.

The hardships my family and I face are beyond what words can describe. This is our last resort.

We are reaching out to you with a desperate plea. We need your help to survive. Your donation can provide us with the life-saving medications and food that we desperately need. Every act of kindness brings us closer to safety and restores a glimmer of hope in our hearts.

With your support, you can give us and many other families in G*za a chance to survive and rebuild our shattered lives. Help us survive and leave G*za so that the last of our family does not perish.

https://gofund.me/ecf94b00

Thank you for your empathy and kindness.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Anas Al-Burri and Family

❤❤

I am truly sorry for what happened to your family dear Anas, may your brother rest in peace and i pray you are your family are safe and healthy.

This is not a vetted account but i found them listed on a post from @/oddball-in-the-scarf sharing their links and info and as well a limk to Anas family tiktok account.

Please reblog and consider donating if you can 🙏🩷🩷🩷

[jjameslily]

Hello,

My name is Anas Al-Burri. I am 17 years old, and I live in Gaza. My sister has jaundice because she gave birth to her child in an unhygienic area during the war. She has no medication, and her condition is worsening, almost life-threatening. She is too ill to produce milk for her son, and we can't get milk from anywhere else. I have no medication for my diabetes! I need insulin, and my blood sugar is critically high, often above 180 and sometimes even 400. I suffer from hyperglycemia attacks and can't get to a hospital because we are in the northern part of Gaza.

Three months ago, my 14-year-old brother Ahmad was searching for something to eat when he was shot in the chest by snipers from a kilometer away. The bullet went straight through his body. He was just a CHILD! We still can't believe it and always think he will come back at any moment. We didn't even have time to mourn him before the rest of the family members were killed.

The hardships my family and I face are beyond what words can describe. This is our last resort.

We are reaching out to you with an urgent plea. We need your help to survive. Your donation can provide us with the life-saving medications and food that we desperately need. Every act of kindness brings us closer to safety and restores a glimmer of hope in our hearts.

With your support, you can give us and many other families in Gaza a chance to survive and rebuild our shattered lives. Help us survive and leave Gaza so that the last of our family does not perish.

https://gofund.me/ecf94b00

Thank you for your empathy and kindness.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Anas Al-Burri and Family

praying over your safety anas!

pls help share and donate if you can to their gofundme: https://www.tumblr.com/anasfamilys/758998878374756352/spende-f%C3%BCr-evacuate-my-last-family-members-in

GOFUNDME: https://gofund.me/e15adce5

[littlemissclandestine]

Help my baby please

🍉I am Hala, a Palestinian from the besieged and destroyed Gaza Strip 😭😭. I fled the war with my husband to Egypt..

The story began on March 21, 2024 when my beautiful child was born.. He was a wonderful and special child.. Suddenly, a week after his birth, my child Abdul Aziz's belly swelled up a lot and I visited several doctors without discovering the reason.. After another week of the child's suffering, I took him to a specialized hospital and the doctors there discovered a blockage in Abdul Aziz's colon that prevented him from excreting stool.. It was decided to perform a surgical operation consisting of an opening in Abdul Aziz's belly to temporarily remove stool from his intestines until the affected part of the colon was removed in another complex surgical operation that cost thousands of dollars..😭😭

I am speaking to you now with great sadness about my child's condition and I ask you to help me and donate to me to collect the costs of the operation within a month from now.

I appeal to everyone who can donate any amount, no matter how small, because it will save my child and give us hope.

Please don't leave my son alone to suffer and struggle in these difficult days alone.. You can support my campaign by donating what you can or share my posts to reach others who can help us by raising the cost of the surgery you are helping in the life of an innocent child with your small contribution. ❤❤🍉🍉

Every donation makes a difference in his very difficult life

Dear Hala,

I am incredibly sorry to hear about your situation. I hope and pray that things get better for your son and the rest of your family. Keeping you and your family in my duas. Palestine will be free 🍉💜💜

Guys, if you can spare some money, any at all, please donate. €2,205 raised of €5,000 so far.

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/q8q8ya-donate-for-my-baby-please

[crowseas]

Hello, I hope you are well. I am Safaa from Gaza and I have a child. I hear Amir. I gave birth to him during the war. I live under war. I lost part of my family and my home and we live in very difficult circumstances. I hope you donate even a little. This will help save my life.

Muy link in bio

A small donation can make abig difference 🤲🤲

They can donate. I am very sad about the situation I am in. I am a law university student at Palestine University in Gaza, but because of the war I had to open a Go Fund Me account to protect my family and my child. Our money has run out and we cannot act now, so I need support.

https://gofund.me/b25cb4bf

Verified by @palestinegenocide @queerstudiesnatural @90-ghost @el-shab-hussein @northgazaupdates @apollos-olives @riding-with-the-wild-hunt

Hello Safaa, I'm so, so sorry about your loss. I will absolutely share and will donate when I'm able to. I pray that you, your son, and the rest of your family may reach safety soon.

This fundraiser was shared by 90-ghost

They have raised $4,782 out of $75,000

[gerardwayfinalgirl]

Hello, I pray this message reaches you during better times. With a heavy heart and dwindling hope, my family and I find ourselves in a desperate plight. We're navigating through dire circumstances, seeking support on Tumblr and GoFundMe to gather the funds we so desperately need 🙏❤️. Your reblogging of this post could make an immense difference in our lives. We're newcomers to this platform, and every contribution counts more than words can express. Wishing you a life filled with beauty and happiness and This my account:{https://gofund.me/23f6654d}

musab is 1/10th of the way to his goal in this fundraiser, it has been vetted so please help him get the rest of the way there

[nataliesnews]

Not a happy country 30.1.2024

 had visitors for lunch yesterday and then went  to a concert at Mormon university. It was very good although I am not like the rest of my friends who are very erudiet  music is concerned. I just let it flow over me. But the compere gave us a good laugh when at the end of the talk of turning off your cell phone, etc, she said,"If there should be a siren, please stay in your seats,' and after a few seconds, said "And pray" ....a laugh we all need in these hard days.

UNRWA worker said to take part in kibbutz massacre, another helped kidnap a woman

I put in all the links and PDFs for those who want verification of what I write. 

I wish I could send you a video of this paragraph. If a Moslem had to throw a grenade on a synagogue or church I can imagine

"While the call to prayer was broadcast last night in the village of Boudros, in the center of the West Bank, one of the soldiers asked his friend to film him throwing a stun grenade inside a mosque in the village while the faithful were being called to prayer".

Last night at the demonstration. so true....that only when the kidnapped are returned, can the rest of us start to heal ourselves.....and if they are not returned there will be a scar that will never be healed. After the Shoah there was Israel....but Israel without the captives. It is not only the immediate family but all those and the circle grows wider with everyone you speak to.  No one can understand what we are going through unless they have lived through the last months. 

This is what Gershon Baskin wrote today.

" I have written this before and I will write it again especially after the decision of the International Court of Justice. More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza will remain our neighbors even after the end of the war. Israel destroyed and erased a large part of Gaza. There is already a vacuum of governmental authority in most of the territory. The humanitarian crisis is enormous. The residents of Gaza need food, clean water, medical equipment and medicines, tents, blankets, warm clothing - and they need it urgently. Hamas boycotts a significant part of the aid entering Gaza. Israel should allow aid to enter from the north, center and south of Gaza under Israeli military escort to ensure that the aid reaches the people who need it and so that it is not confiscated by Hamas. This is not only the right thing to do, it also serves Israeli interests vis-à-vis the world which believes that Israel's intentions in Gaza are to remove the Palestinians from Gaza forever. It has nothing to do with the condition of the abductees. Denying aid to the non-combatants of Gaza will not improve the condition of the abductees at all. The threat of stopping aid will not affect Hamas in a positive way - it can directly affect the condition of the Israeli abductees. So let's do the right thing now regarding aid to Gaza."

And if you think of this as a democratic country then read this about Cassif and also the PDF about another Araba citizen. Then of course there is the Israeli teacher who was sacked for his views. 

As MKs debate Cassif’s expulsion, he rails against ‘Kahanist’ attempt to silence him

Far-left legislator's actions in support of genocide accusations at The Hague may not cross 'criminal threshold,' legal adviser says; 'I never supported Hamas,' Hadash MK declares

How the army lies in the face of a video....these people are the ones who will bring Israel to disaster. I would like the settlers to go back to Gush Katif but under the same circumstances as the people of the south were when they were attacked by the Hamas......with all the soldiers and much of the weapons of the area taken to defend the settlers of the occupied areas while they were partying in Arab villages. And as for the item below......when the army defends them they are so courageous. 

Two children carrying Israeli flag slip under Gaza border fence amid settler activity

Incident occurred as activists planted trees in closed military zone; adult heard telling kid to 'plant the flag well'; IDF says children didn't cross into Striphttps://www.timesofisrael.com/two-children-carrying-israeli-flag-slip-under-gaza-border-fence-amid-settler-activity/

Do you ever watch Netanyahu's eyes when he speaks. He is just like Kahane was....so shifty. And he is trying his best to get the blame shifted on to others. I listened to him last night for once and was amazed at how he manages to lie. Last night he had the chutzpah to attack the families, saying that they are demonstrating against him.....not one word of empathy. This while, one son hangs out in Miami with his two bodyguards who should be ashamed of themselves and come back to serve, and another whom it is not known if he is serving.....and if he is it is probably in a safe place.  Check out the PDF of would you send your child to serve in the army.....why does no interviewer ask him the question where his sons are. I really do not understand it. That is the question that should be asked each time.

,

12 ministers call to resettle Gaza, encourage Gazans to leave, at jubilant conference

15 coalition MKs also take part, with many dancing at right-wing confab attended by thousands; Likud minister appears to endorse coercive measures to promote Palestinian emigration

And if this at the bottom is true, this war will go on and one with no end.

US, Israel believe up to 80% of Hamas tunnels intact after 114 days of war – report

Israeli official estimates 20%-40% of network damaged or put out of order during war; military reports 'high-intensity fighting' in Khan Younis, skirmishes elsewhere in Strip

So if up to now we have wiped out 20% you can work out how much longer the war can go on.

Natalie --

[xtruss]

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque)! Constructed during the early 17th century, Istanbul's most photogenic building gets its nickname from the blue tiles adorning the interior. Photograph By Keith Arnold Getty Images

Why Ramadan Is The Most Sacred Month In Islamic Culture

The sighting of a new crescent moon marks the start of Ramadan, a time for piety and self-reflection.

— By Eslah Attar | March 13, 2023

Every year, Muslims around the world anticipate the sighting of the new crescent moon that signifies the official first day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred month in Islamic culture.

The start of Ramadan fluctuates each year because the lunar Islamic calendar follows the phases of the moon. The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by a moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia. It begins the day after the committee spots the new crescent moon, which can be tricky since it’s quite faint and can be seen for only about 20 minutes. If the moon isn’t visible to the naked eye because of haze or clouds, lunar calculations are used to predict whether it’s in the sky. This year Ramadan is predicted to begin on March 23, and to end April 21 with Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims build stronger relationships with Allah through fasting, selfless actions, and praying—like this Palestinian man praying at the Great Mosque of Gaza in Gaza City. Photograph By Ali Jadallah, Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Origin of Ramadan

Ramadan, one of the months in the Islamic calendar, was also part of ancient Arabs’ calendars. The naming of Ramadan stems from the Arabic root “ar-ramad,” which means scorching heat. Muslims believe that in A.D. 610, the angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran, the Islamic holy book. That revelation, Laylat Al Qadar—or the “Night of Power”—is believed to have occurred during Ramadan. Muslims fast during that month as a way to commemorate the revelation of the Quran.

The Quran consists of 114 chapters and is taken to be the direct words of God, or Allah. The hadith, or accounts by the companions of Prophet Muhammad’s thoughts and deeds, supplement the Quran. Together they form the religious texts of Islam.

“Fasting is a shield, so the one who fasts should avoid obscene speech and ignorant behavior. If someone abuses him or starts to fight with him, he should reply by saying: ‘I am fasting. I am fasting’.” — Saheeh Al-Bukhari

How Ramadan Is Observed

During Ramadan, Muslims aim to grow spiritually and build stronger relationships with Allah. They do this by praying and reciting the Quran, making their actions intentional and selfless, and abstaining from gossiping, lying, and fighting.

Muslim worshippers pray near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Photograph By Muammar Awad Xinhua, Eyevine/Redux

Throughout the month, fasting between sunrise and sunset is obligatory for all Muslims, except for the ill, pregnant, traveling, elderly, or menstruating. Days missed fasting can be made up throughout the rest of the year, either all at once or one day here and there.

Meals are opportunities for Muslims to gather with others in the community and break their fast together. Pre-dawn breakfast, or suhoor, usually occurs at 4:00 a.m. before the first prayer of the day, fajr. The evening meal, iftar, can begin once the sunset prayer, Maghreb, is finished—normally around 7:30. Since the Prophet Mohammad broke his fast with dates and a glass of water, Muslims eat dates at both suhoor and iftar. A staple of the Middle East, dates are rich in nutrients, easy to digest, and provide the body with sugar after a long day of fasting.

Ramadan! Celebrate Ramadan, a Month of Sacrifice and Prayer, with the Muslims of Denver, Colorado. Starting Thursday 23rd, 2023

After the last day of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate its ending with Eid al-Fitr—the “festival of breaking the fast”—which begins with communal prayers at daybreak. During these three days of festivities, participants gather to pray, eat, exchange gifts, and pay their respects to deceased relatives. Some cities host carnivals and large prayer gatherings, too.

But no matter what observers have planned for their traditional suhoor and iftar gatherings this year, the spirit of this centuries-old tradition will remain the same as a time for piety and self-reflection.

The Five Pillars Of Islam: These Guidelines are Fundamental to the Lives of Muslims:

Sawm: Fasting from Dawn until Dusk during Ramadan

Shahadah: Believing there is No Deity (God) but Allah and Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as His Messenger

Zakat: Giving to Charity

Salah: Praying Five Times a Day

Hajj: Making the Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if able.