The rhythm of life changes for those who celebrate Ramadan.

Ramadan, which means “to fast” in Arabic, is an Islamic holy month when Muslims fast during daylight hours.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calender, is a reflection of a key point in Islamic history, said Robert Baum, associate professor of religious studies.

Ramadan is when the prophet Mohammed had his first vision from God and the Quran, the holy book of the Islamic people, was revealed to him, said Hsain Ilahiane, assistant professor of anthropology.

“That alone stamps this month with sacredness,” he said.

Today, celebrating Ramadan is an “infusion of daily life with religiosity,” Ilahiane said.

During Ramadan, people “live” at night, said Ilahiane, from Morocco. He said life slows down during daylight.

Since Morocco is a predominately Islamic country, business schedules and working hours change to accommodate the hours of fasting.

In America, Ilahiane said he is in a different environment with different values.

“You have to live up to that,” he said.

However, Iowa State’s academic schedule is flexible enough for him to celebrate Ramadan, he said.

Last year Ilahiane taught a seminar at 5:10 p.m., just as the fast was ending.

During the break before the class, he ate dates and drank milk to raise his blood sugar levels.

Fasting begins at dawn and ends at sunset. For health reasons not everyone is allowed to fast, Baum said. They must be old enough and in good health.

People give up more than food during the fast, Ilahiane said. They also give up drink and sexual intercourse during the day.

Several “informal” vices people give up are foul language, argumentation, conflict, gossip, cheating and lying, Ilahiane said.

“Ramadan is a joyous celebration of being Muslim,” Baum said.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a fundamental obligation that has been celebrated for almost 1,400 years, he said.

Since the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar, Ramadan occurs at various times of the year, Baum said.

Days are shorter in the winters in Iowa, so the fasting period is shorter. This year, Ramadan began on November 6.

Ramadan ends with a feast and celebration, complete with gifts.

“People are thankful they survived the test of God,” Baum said. “It’s like a mini-Christmas.”

Ilahiane said all Muslims celebrate Ramadan, so the holiday binds them together.

“It builds a global community,” he said.