Yesterday marked the beginning of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar.

It is during this month that Muslims will begin the month-long fast, which requires abstention from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from sunrise to sunset.

In a Hadith, a narration of the Prophet Muhammad's life, the Prophet said to fast if you have seen the crescent moon and to break the fast once the crescent moon reappears, said Near Eastern studies graduate student, Muhammad Aziz.

The dates of Ramadan are not set for exactly the same time every year, instead, the beginning and end of Ramadan depend on precise astronomical calculations. In the United States, the dates are decided by the Islamic Society of America.

The month of Ramadan alters the way of life for many Muslims but the change is welcome and proves to strengthen religious grounding.

"Ramadan is significant because it causes you to change your routine and focus on religion as opposed to worldly things. Your focus is completely on God, worship and prayer," LSA junior Mariam Muzaffar said.

LSA freshman Zeenah Khader said she wakes u early to eat but her life goes until sundown before eating again.

"I get up before sunrise, around 5 a.m. to eat, then I pray the first prayer of five of the day, called the Fajr. You go the whole day without food or water while continuing prayer throughout the day, and at the end of day, after sunset, you break the fast with a date and move to prayer again. ... The time set for the breaking of the fast is 5:22 p.m.," Khader said.

When students are away at school, Ramadan is quite a different experience from being at home with family.

"At home we gathered around the table and about five minutes prior to breaking fast ... we would pray together and break fast together," Khader said.

Things may be different when a student comes to the University due to one's surroundings and the sudden increase in freedom.

"It was my first day but it went really well. Usually back home, my mom would wake me up in the morning for food and prayer before fasting. I feel like it is a bigger responsibility now because I'm doing it by myself. There's no family here so I have to take care of myself and do this for myself," Khader said.

"There was no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't practice because I wasn't around my family. Ramadan is about family coming together, but it's also about inner strength. It's a very introspective time and you're on your own. ... It's a lot about self-reflection," Khader said.

Along with the separation from family comes the separation from friends who practice as well and often serve as a support system.

"During high school, me and my Muslim friends would sit together at lunch to support each other. My comfort level just came with my surroundings. ...It was the natural thing to do," Khader said.

The University Housing system is accommodating Muslim students who live in residence halls by adjusting meal plans for Ramadan.

"I'm on a 13-meal plan and of course I can't eat during lunch because I'm fasting. Housing has worked it out so that the money, which would usually go toward a lunch credit, goes into my entr