Muslims will begin a month of worship

More than 1 billion Muslims around the world are about to begin the observance of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is believed that during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, the angel Gabriel began delivering the Quran, which was later transcribed into writing, to the Prophet Muhammad.

During Ramadan, observant Muslims refrain from eating or drinking anything during daylight hours.

At the end of the day, the fast is broken with a small meal and prayers, followed by visiting family and friends.

Fasting in the Muslim tradition is designed to bring spiritual benefits, chiefly a release from physical constraints and desires so one can concentrate on worship and appreciation of Allah.

The patience and forbearance induced by fasting extend to other areas of life.

Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.

During the month of fasting, Muslims are expected to read the Quran with special intensity and to seek opportunities for good deeds, especially helping the poor.

The end of the month is marked by the three-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr, when gifts are exchanged, and families and friends gather for large meals.

In these days, when fanatics have done so much to discredit Islam in the eyes of all too many people, Ramadan is especially important as a time of renewal and deepening of faith for serious Muslims.

Approximately 1% of Californians identify as Muslim.

Many are immigrants or the descendents of immigrants from countries as diverse as Indonesia and Egypt.

Others are refugees from places like Afghanistan, Iran and Syria. And some, of course, are converts.

Whatever their roots, they are deserving of respect and understanding.

Yet for many, that is not what they experience.

A survey by the Council for American-Islamic Relations found that a majority of Muslim students have reported they feel “unsafe, unwelcome or uncomfortable” in school because of their religious identities.

And on a governmental level, this editorial board has long criticized instances of unjustified spying on the Muslim community, as happened in Orange County during the peak of the socalled “war on terror.”

It is imperative that California remain a place where people of all backgrounds can feel safe, welcome and comfortable to live their lives as they choose.