DECATUR - Dr. Muhammad Khan has very little free time with his internal medicine practice, but he will be making the time to take part in his faith.

Khan was among the many who filed in line at the Masjid Walihasan Islamic Center late Monday night to mark the beginning of Ramadan.

Ramadan usually starts after the sighting of the new lunar moon and always the ninth month of the Islamic calendar year. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to pray and fast for 30 days.

They began fasting sunup to sundown Tuesday and will continue throughout the month - neither drinking nor eating.

"Fasting is part of the disciplinary action, and we deny ourselves during daylight hours those things we eat and drink," said the Iman Johnnie Shabazz.

He said, however, they do eat before dawn before fasting a very light breakfast called the suhoor. Fasting is then broken at sunset with a light meal.

Also, Shabazz said, most followers read a third of the Quran each day until finished.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith: The first pillar is belief in God, second is prayer, third is charity, fourth is fasting during the month of Ramadan and fifth is making the pilgrimage to Mecca during one's lifetime, Shabazz said.

The men at the local mosque dedicated to their faith continued to bow, kneel and pray for nearly two hours Monday night. The Hafith, or prayer leader, chanted readings from the Quran. "Allahu Akbar," translated "God is great," was constantly repeated and echoed through the mosque.

Khan also fell in line with his Muslim brothers, bowing and his head touching the floor while praying.

Throughout Ramadan, he will take time during his lunch break and pray. He said if he doesn't get a chance to get to the mosque, he'll pray in his office.

Other prayers are scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before breaking fast and a late prayer at 9:15 p.m.

"You do get more blessings by being able to pray at the mosque," said Khan, who emphasized the charitable side of Ramadan. "It's important because we're able to help people financially or any other need that we can provide them."

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