In fluid movements, men and women moved as a deep and resonant voice projected the Zuher prayer throughout the Islamic Center of East Lansing.

Although the men and women were divided into two rooms with blinds covering a window partition, their bodies rocked forward and backward together, bending their heads to the floor in prayer at the start of Ramadan.

Silence filled the rooms and lips moved, whispering prayers that fell softly on the human ear before the voice, speaking in confident Arabic, began again.

About 60 people filled the rooms for the 2 p.m. prayer Monday at the Islamic Center, 920 S. Harrison Ave. Men, women and children all met to fulfill the Salat, one of the five pillars of Islam that says Muslims must pray five times each day. Ramadan is the celebration of the first revealing of the Quran, the Islamic holy book, to Islamic prophet Muhammad. The revelation took 23 years, and during Ramadan many Muslims try to read the entire Quran.

"This is a month of cleansing and resolutions to get near to God and prepare yourself for the coming year," said Asad Khan, the president of the Islamic Center.

The holy month began Friday and will end on Nov. 13 or 14. During the 29-30 days of Ramadan, Muslims pray and fast to become more pious and closer to God.

Praying and fasting

Prayer is important during Ramadan, Khan said. Additional prayers performed during Ramadan, which are part of an attempt to please Allah, are incorporated into the daily rituals as well as during the breaking of the fast and at night.

"The other requirements are for our own sake like fasting, but prayer is something you do for the sake of Allah - because he's asked us to do it," Khan said.

Without prayer, the fast of Ramadan will have no effect on the spirit and pious nature of a Muslim, Khan said.

"If you don't pray five times then it will be not a fast but starvation," he said. "Fasting only helps you if you observe fasting the way it's recommended."

Between sunrise and sunset, practicing Muslims are not supposed to eat or drink - and they must abstain from smoking and sexual relations.

Children are expected to fast after they hit puberty, but Muslims who are ill, pregnant, menstruating or have diseases such as diabetes are excused, said Mohammed Ali-Reda, a finance senior.

"Fasting is part of the pillars of Islam, so every Muslim technically has to fast in order to be Muslim," Ali-Reda said.

Those who miss fasts during Ramadan for these reasons can make them up during the rest of the year.

Farhan Azeez, a human biology junior, said he is always aware of the constant emptiness in his stomach during Ramadan, but he celebrates the hunger as an approach to piety.

"Even for students - when you're studying for exams or something - it's difficult, but it's also very spiritual," said Azeez, head of public relations for the Muslim Students' Association of Michigan State University.

Fasting, or Sawm, is recorded in the Quran and in the life of Muhammad, who fasted more frequently than most modern Muslims do. Shabban, the month preceding Ramadan, serves as a preparation for the 30-day fast. During Shabban, Muslims fast for specific days.

"We honor the prophet by doing things that he used to do and he used to like," Khan said.

For Muslims, fasting increases piety, which is accomplished by achieving two states of mind. The first is to be less concerned about the physical world.

"We fast to bring more austerity in our lives and have more self control," Khan said. "We mean to become a better person in this state of fasting."

The second purpose is to understand the suffering of the poor. By feeling the hunger of less fortunate Muslims, those who fast become empathetic and more pious.

The third pillar of faith, called Zakah, or charity, is also encouraged during Ramadan. Muslims are required by the Quran to give 2.5 percent of their yearly wealth to the needy and many people chose to donate throughout Ramadan, Khan said.

Charity is encouraged as well, and the only requirement is that the contributions should be given to deserving Muslims.

By the moon

The Islamic calendar follows the movements of the moon, making the beginnings of the months and holidays fluid. As of Thursday afternoon, the Muslim community was unsure if Ramadan would start Friday or Saturday.

A sighting of the new crescent moon by the Islamic Shura Council of North America determined Ramadan started Friday. The last day of Ramadan will be decided in the same manner.

During the last 10 days of Ramadan, the night of power, or Lailat-ul-Qadr, is observed. Lailat-ul-Qadr is the night the Quran was given to Muhammad, but the actual date is unknown.

"It is the night when you can pray the most to God, when the blessings from heaven come down to Earth and when your prayers are answered," Khan said.

Some Muslim countries have declared the actual night as the 27th day of Ramadan, but most Muslim scholars said Lailat-ul-Qadr could be any night, Khan said.

Breaking the fast

Ramadan is a time when the Islamic community unites and celebrates their faith together. The Islamic Center holds dinners when the fast is broken.

Although there is not a traditional meal for Ramadan, Azeez said dates and a glass of milk usually precede the dinner. But Muslims are encouraged to eat lightly during Ramadan, even times when the fast is broken.

After the final evening prayer, a special prayer called the Taraaweeh, is given before Muslims eat.

The Muslim community usually gathers together for the breaking of the fast, either at the Islamic Center or in individual groups - Ali-Reda holds meals with his friends while Azeez goes to the center for dinner.

"There is a community feeling - it increases worship and brotherhood and sisterhood," Azeez said.