Muslims across the province are observing the holy month of Ramadan.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is practiced as an act of worship and obedience to God.

Muslims fast during the daylight hours, breaking their fast at sundown with feasting and nightly prayers.

Ramadan is what the local Muslim Association calls a “one-month training camp to focus on God-consciousness, character building and cultivating good habits.”

It’s also a time of reflection, devotion and exercising generosity.

The association says the word Ramadan comes from the Arabic word for “dehydrating thirst” and “sun-baked ground”, reflecting the hunger and thirst felt by those who fast.