The President of the Liberian Community in St.Paul, MN (LCM) has expressed Ramadan greetings to all Muslims as they commence the fast month.

Ramadan is the holiest of months in the Islamic calendar. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.The month is spent by Muslims fasting during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset. The name came from the time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer.

In a special message to all Muslims, LCM President, Mr. Momodu Kemokai writes:

On behalf of the Liberian Community in Minnesota-St. Paul..(LCM), I want to extend our best wishes to the Liberian Muslim Ummah in Minnesota and the greater Liberian Muslim Community in the Americas, on the occasion of the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the most important month of the Islamic calendar, and it is a tremendous gift from Allah. It is a month of faith in which Muslims feel uplifted and empowered religiously. It is a special time of prayer, fasting and generosity.

LCM is aware of the many contributions Liberian Muslims have made and continues to make to the Liberian community in Minnesota. Hence we at LCM are very supportive and remain in solidarity with our Muslim compatriots as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Signed: Momodu M Kemokai

President, LCM

Ramadan for 2010 started on yesterday Wednesday, the 11th of August and will continue for 30 days until Thursday, the 9th of September.

Based on sightability in North America, in 2010 Ramadan will start in North America a day later - on Thursday, the 12th of August.

Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Tuesday, the 10th of August.

Although Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Ramadan moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of Ramadan may also vary from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.