O you who have believed! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint (Qur’an 2:183). Ramadan or Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is the ninth month of Islamic calendar and obligatory for every able-bodied, Muslim of age except those who are sick, travelling, pregnant or women going through menstruation. Ramadan began this year in the USA on June 18 and expected to end on July 16 followed by the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr or festivity of breaking the Fast on July 17.

The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root word of ramid or ar-ramad, which means blazing heat or dryness. Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from dawn (approximately 1 ½ hours before sunrise) to sunset every day for 29-30 days. Through fasting, Muslims experience hunger, thirst and empathizes with those who have little to eat and drink every day. Fasting for Muslims during this holy month also includes the increased offering of Islamic prayers, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, charity, and must “say no evil,” “see no evil,” and “hear no evil.” Ramadan is a time of religious boot camp for Muslims to practice Islam in minute detail and animate it for rest of the eleven months.

It can be challenging time for Muslims serving in the US Armed Forces during Ramadan particularly those who are in field training. However, necessity dictates exception. Islam allows Muslims who are away from home to delay the fast and complete it later, under normal circumstances, as stated in the Holy Qur’an, “[Fasting] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number [should be made up] from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old person, etc.), they have to feed a poor person [for every day]. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And it is better for you to fast, if only you know" (2:184).

Special accommodations may need to be made for Muslim military members who are observing the Fast. Accommodations may include to be released from duty at least 1 ½ hours before sunset to make preparations for Iftar (Fast breaking meal) and the after-sunset prayer. Additionally, Muslim service members may request an alternate daily physical training program and schedule as well as exemption from any rigorous field training exercises. Supervisors may consider granting liberty/liberal leave policy allowing service members and DoD civilians the opportunity to observe the celebration of Eid al-Fitr or festivity of breaking the Fast.