Throughout the month of April, also known as the month of Ramadan, many people of Muslim religion have been practicing fasting. Of course, there are exceptions–those who may not be able to fast: mothers who are breastfeeding, pregnant women, young children who haven’t yet reached puberty, etc. 

The evening of Sunday, May 1st, marks the end of the religious fast. The purpose of fasting for Ramadan is celebrating the holiest month of the year, April, by avoiding eating and drinking from when the sun goes up to when it goes down. 

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the daily prayer, declaration of faith, charity and performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the month of April is to remind people of the Muslim faith of the suffering of those who are less fortunate, bring people closer to god and spiritually purify them while practicing self restraint. 

Again, not all Muslims practice Ramadan: children, pregnant women, women who are nursing or menstruating, people with health issues that require them to eat and drink water consistently and travelers are the exception and are not required to fast. Still, according to 2017 data from the Pew Research Center, 8 in 10 Muslims report fasting to celebrate Ramadan. 

The end of Ramadan is celebrated by the practice of intense worship and the praying for answers and forgiveness for sins. The end of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the moon on the 29th of April, and for the next three days, a celebration called Eid al-Fitr brings families together for prayers, followed by picnics and feasts.