May 19, 2013
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The week's top five must-sees,
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Description
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is fardh for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.
While fasting from dawn until sunset Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking and sexual relations; and in some interpretations from swearing. According to Islam, the thawab of fasting are many, but in this month they are believed to be multiplied. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat and recitation of the Quran.
(via Freebase)
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![Protests, clashes erupt in Kashmir following Eid prayers [Press TV, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-9014000/9014690/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=89a68164b5401ff2202ac4b5ff2a7edb)
![Palestinians flock to Jerusalem for last Ramadan Friday amid Israeli restrictions [Al Jazeera, Qatar]](/images/image_cache/base-8943000/8943765/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=dbb291d2170f9ebf6ec6af942445b879)
![Muslims in Washington DC hold Ramadan Iftar dinner to promote interfaith dialogue [Dubai TV, UAE]](/images/image_cache/base-8686000/8686862/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=9eb5b1e6070e54b514c9538771b14946)
![Thousands of Saudis demand retribution for slain activist [Al-Alam, Iran]](/images/image_cache/base-8415000/8415837/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=18d70ff4fd823d287238fea0648edd93)
![Israel further tightens control over al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan [Dubai TV, UAE]](/images/image_cache/base-8281000/8281742/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=79beff422e8d872eaabd8b193b33c1ff)
![Fasting Tunisians head to the beach to escape summer heat [Al Jazeera, Qatar]](/images/image_cache/base-8047000/8047352/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=91b4452648908d5d3826d93a35552f57)
![Al-Aqsa Mosque opened to 100,000 Palestinians for Ramadan [IBA, Israel]](/images/image_cache/base-7928000/7928197/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=e37c9bc036cf5648d9a6c6e8c27018e9)
![More Palestinian children suffering from hunger in Gaza as Israeli siege continues [BBC Arabic, UK]](/images/image_cache/base-7572000/7572028/thumbnail.width=304,height=171,grow=1,crop=center.jpg?sig=3cc337ed100329f12cba96a462b04a20)
