On March 23, the Lansdale Muslim community has celebrated the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, reported Rose Itzcovitz for WFMZ 69 News.

For 29 days, those practicing fast from sunrise to sunset. They eat no food and drink no water before iftar, their first meal of the day, which they have at sundown.

The holiday starts and ends with the sightings of the crescent moon, explained Ahmed Elagamy, imam at North Penn Mosque.

“Ramadan is teaching us patience, to be patient, never to eat or drink,” he said.

As Muslims believe, Ramadan is the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, which makes it a joyous celebration.

Elagamy explained that while they fast, Muslims aim to maintain certain virtues.

“To be a messenger of peace and tolerance among the community you are,” he said.

It also teaches individuals to think of others more than themselves.

“Around the world are millions of people who are passing away because they didn’t have any cost of living,” Elagamy said. “They are under the poverty line. Ramadan is teaching us how to be generous to them.”

Once the fast is broken, it all becomes about community.

“They are praying, communicating, having conversation,” said Elagamy.

Read more about this local celebration of Ramadan at WFMZ 69 News.

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A news report from Australia explains Ramadan.