Ramadan begins on July 20th, 2012. During this holy month for Muslims, observant followers fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking, smoking or sexual activity. The fast is broken each evening with a communal meal called Iftar. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a time for Muslims to spiritually reevaluate their lives according to Islamic doctrine over the course of the lunar month. The fast-breaking festival occurs from August 19-21, 2012.