Blessed Thanksgiving and Eid al-Adha

In the USA, we are celebrating God's blessings and provision over the last year(s) on Thursday 26 November 2009. On Friday or Saturday the 27 or 28 November 2009 our Muslim friends around the world will be celebrating their Big Feast, aka Festival of Sacrifice, Sacrifice Feast, Eid Kebir, Eid al-Adha, Tabaski, etc. It reminds them that God provided a lamb so Abraham didn't sacrifice his son. The Koran doesn't say which son was involved, but by tradition Muslims believe it was Ishmael. The Bible says God provided the lamb, in the place of Isaac, for the burned offering, Genesis 22.

Heavenly Father, cause us as Christians to be grateful for your provision of Jesus to be the holy, eternal and sufficient offering for our sins. Cause many Muslims to have dreams or visions about Jesus during their festival of sacrifice and as they do their Hajj, pilgrimages to Mecca.

Learn about the Hajj and how to pray effectively: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k7May3H0nw

Ramadan 22 Aug- 20 Sept

Muslims fast from food and water for 30 days, from sunrise until sunset. They fast as an act of faith and worship towards Allah, to suppress sinful desires and increase religious piety. Ramadan in 2009 (or the Islamic year of 1430) is August 22 - September 20. Learn more at http://islam.farho.net

30-days.net distributes free daily e-mail updates for the 30 days of Ramadan. Please sign up for these updates from their "30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World" booklet.

Heavenly Father, motivate Christians around the world to love Muslims through prayer. Help us to see them as You see them. Give them dreams and visions of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Ramadan is over

The fasting month of Ramadan finishes with the celebration of Feast of Breaking the Fast (Eid al-Fitr), or the Little Feast (al-Eid saghir). It occurs at the conclusion of Ramadan and is held on the first day of the month of Shawwal. For most Sunni Muslims, that was today. For most Shi'a Muslims, that will be tomorrow. West African Muslims are mostly Sunni, so today was a legal holiday in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, where nearly 50% of the population is Muslim. The Lebanese population here is mostly Shi'a Muslim, so they will celebrate their Little Feast tomorrow. Learn more about Islam at our website: http://islam.farho.net

Heavenly Father, we ask You to reveal yourself to Muslims through dreams and visions. Open Your arms to them in new and wonderful ways, so they can trust in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, for forgiveness.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan in 2008 (or the Islamic year of 1429) is September 1-30. Dates may vary according to the sighting of the moon. It is the third pillar of Islam, when Muslims around the world celebrate the holiest month of their year. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of sunrise to sunset fasting and spiritual reflection. Our friends tell us that one of the most important aspects of Ramadan for them is an increase in commitment to their families.

Heavenly Father, during this holy time for Muslims give them dreams and visions of our Savior Jesus Christ. As they discipline themselves and resist temptation, open their hearts to their need for the Savior.

Learn how to pray for Muslims at the 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World website. Visit our Islam pages more information about Islam and the fast of Ramadan.

Dates in Islam, Hajj (pilgrimage), Holidays for Muslims, Islam in Arabia, Pillars of Islam, Pray for Muslims, Ramadan, Ramadan prayer guide