More than one billion Muslims worldwide will begin observing the month-long fast of Ramadan Monday.

Ramadan is a holy month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.

The holy month ends Nov. 26 with Eid al Fitr, the festival of fast-breaking. The first revelation of the the holy book of Islam, the Quran, is celebrated during this month.

Ramadan is a time when every Muslim shows his or her devotion to God, said Abdulmelik Shifa, vice president of the Muslim Student Association.

“You don’t eat or drink during the day, but you are happy,” said Shifa, senior in biochemistry.

The elderly, the sick and children are exempt from fasting, Shifa said. However, to compensate for not fasting, they perform other tasks, such as feeding the poor or fasting at another time if they are able.

Shifa, who is originally from Ethiopia, said he gets homesick during Ramadan. But every Muslim is a brother, he said.

“Ramadan is a time for worship and contemplation,” said Saddam Khattak, president of the Muslim Student Association. “Muslims look forward to Ramadan in order to reflect and renew their spirituality. Ramadan also serves as a perfect opportunity to learn about Islam and their American Muslim neighbors.”

Fasting can be difficult at first, but Khattak said he gets used to after a few days.

“I don’t [fast] just because I have to do it — I like to do it because I think it is good for me,” said Khattak, senior in computer engineering.

Khattak said he misses his family during Ramadan, but a large Muslim community in Ames helps him to celebrate the holy month.

Traditionally, Muslims break the daily fast by drinking water and eating dates. Khattak said even though it is not required, some people will take extra care to prevent themselves from doing something to break the spirit of the fast, such as not swearing or lying.

Last year, people gathered at the Masjid Darul Arqum Islamic Center of Ames, 1212 Iowa Ave., each day to break the daily fast together, Khattak said.