The Arabic word for Fasting (Say-yam) literally means “to refrain” and which means not only refraining from food and drink, but also to avoid from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar Islamic Calendar, which is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset and self discipline, it is widely celebrated in Pakistan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking and to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality , and humility.
Ramadan in 2011 has started on Tuesday, the 2nd of August and which will continue for 29-30 days. In the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the former day, so the Muslims in Pakistan will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Monday, the 1st of Aug.
While Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, because the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. It means Ramadan moves in the Gregorian calendar near about 11 days every year. The date of Ramadan may also deviate from country to country depending on whether situation and the moon has been sighted or not.
From a survey conducted throughout the Muslim World Pakistan is the leading Country in which average number of people having fast in Ramadan.
I am so happy to see your interest in religion. As a Muslim we should respect the roles of Islam and being a Muslim we should fast in Ramadan.