Ramadan, is the ninth holy month of the Islamic lunar calendar, where the beginning of month is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, which varies from year to year.

This year, Ramadan begins May 6 and end on June 4 with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Fasting is an annual observance that is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Fasting requires Muslims to refrain from drinking or eating anything (yes, even water) between sunrise to sunset (up to 15 hours).

There are many benefits of fasting including fostering the feeling of compassion for those who go hungry daily, those who are less fortunate, increasing one’s piety, patience and strengthening willpower and discipline.

Fasting also reminds Muslims to not be wasteful of God’s blessings. Fasting and breaking fast together increases the sense of community and generosity.

There are six Islamic centers in Lehigh Valley, many will have community iftars (evening meals) over the weekends.

I invite everyone to learn more about the Islamic observance of Ramadan and to share in a wonderful meal with Muslims who are breaking their daily fast.

Al Ahad Islamic Center, Whitehall, will have daily Iftar at sunset. Everyone is welcome to attend

Muslims are friendly and community orientated. They are not individualistic - characteristics that are most visible during Ramadan praying daily in congregation and eating as one family (Ummah).

For better or for worse, Islam became more understood after 9/11.

However, many do not understand why Muslims fast. There are many challenges facing Muslim youths who are balancing the observance of their faith with their athletic and education endeavors.

Ramadan was challenging time for my children - who had to fast from sunrise to sunset, do homework, go to mosque every day, observe prayers and break fast.

I would say, however, the coaches at SPYA and Parkland teachers were very accommodative, educated and understood the challenges of Muslim youth during the month of Ramadan.

For many Muslim students it can be a difficult month to get through, especially students have to go through without eating or drinking.

Participating in physical education class could be a problem while late afternoon exams may be very difficult because of fatigue.

For schools, it’s important to provide an environment for students where they feel safe to practice their religion.

They may request deferral of an assignment or exam. Where possible, they should be accommodated.

If Muslim students have reasonable accommodation and support from teachers and their classmates, it can turn a challenging month into a most rewarding time.

When my children attended Parkland schools, they were surrounded by friends and teammates who understood and respected the observance, but today I don’t know the situation for Muslim youth.

Juggling game schedules, school work and daily mosque programs can be stressful, yet the ambience created by well-informed teachers, coaches, teammates and fellow Muslims becomes both heartening and spiritual uplifting.

Muslim students are worried about the game conflict during the month of fasting. While Muslim girls are struggling between cultural and religious limitations when it comes to participation in sport activities.

Schools, such as Parkland where my children and many Muslims, attend have made remarkable efforts to accommodate the needs of Muslim students.

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Editor’s note: Mohammed Khaku is a resident of Upper Macungie Township.