There are about 7.6 billion people in the world. And around 24% of them — 1.8 billion — are fasting from sunup to sundown. Every day. For an entire month.
But what if you're not a Muslim — just a caring, considerate person. Is there anything you should do so you don't come across as insensitive to your fasting friends in the US during Ramadan?
Short answer: No. Long answer: No.
But you can earn some cool points if you follow these 10 tips:
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Young Muslims devotees take a "selfie" prior to Friday prayers to mark the end of Ramadan last year in Manila, Philippines.
1. You can totally eat in front of us ...
For the 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. That doesn't mean you shouldn't carry on business as usual. (Just turn a deaf ear to our growling stomachs.)
2. ... but try not to schedule a work lunch
If you have to host a brown-bag, you should. But don't feel bad if we sit there, like a vegetarian friend at a churrascaria. Ditto for a happy-hour mixer. If your Muslim co-worker takes a pass, understand.
3. You don't have to fast with us ...
You can if you want to see what it feels like. But it's not going to hurt our feelings — even if we're best friends.
4. ... but you can join us for Iftar
Iftar is the breaking of the fast after sundown. We like to make it a big communal meal. You should come.
A Muslim man breathes fire during a game of fire football, known as "bola api."
5. You don't have to know when it begins ...
Ramadan isn't like Christmas or Thanksgiving, as in everyone knows exactly when it'll fall. It bounces around, because the Islamic calendar is lunar. When it begins depends on when the new moon is seen. That's why the precise dates change from year to year.
6. ... but please be a little flexible
How we determine when Ramadan begins is decidedly old-school: You have to physically see the moon (even though there are apps for that). That's why, if your co-worker says, "Starting tomorrow, can I start work early so I can leave sooner?" try to accommodate.
7. We'll still go for coffee with you ...
No, we can't drink. Not even water. But we'll walk with you if you want to take a break.
A boy attends the early morning prayer at Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah, UAE.
8. ... but we may keep our distance
One word: Halitosis. You try not eating or drinking for the entire day. That's why we're standing a foot away from you when we talk.
9. You can say 'Ramadan Mubarak' ...
There's no "war on Christmas"-level controversy surrounding the greeting (it means "Happy Ramadan"). Your Muslim co-worker will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
10. ... but please don't say, 'I should fast, too. I need to lose weight'
Ramadan's not about that. Plus, one of Ramadan's side effects is obesity (it's all that post-sundown overeating).
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Photos: Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan
People crowd a market on the first day of fasting month of Ramadan in Mumbai, India, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Muslims across the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan, where they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
Students perform a noon prayer during the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Ar-Raudlatul Hasanah Islamic Boarding School in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)
Muslims pray during the first day of Ramadan at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Muslim women receive beverages to break their fast during the first day of Ramadan at a mosque in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, April 3, 2022. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
Kashmiri Muslims offer prayer inside a Mosque on the first day of fasting month of Ramadan in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Muslims across the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan, where they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
A Kashmiri muslim man offer prayer inside the shrine of Sufi saint Shiekh Abdul Qadir Jeelani on the first day of fasting month of Ramadan in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Muslims across the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan, where they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Shiites pray and read the Quran at the holy shrine of Imam Ali to mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
Shiites pray and read the Quran at the holy shrine of Imam Ali to mark the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)
People praise inside al Noor mosques in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramada. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
A worker serves customers iftar meals to break their fast at a roadside food court during the second day of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 4, 2022. Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
People have iftar meals to break their fast at a roadside food court during the second day of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 4, 2022. Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
A beggar asks for money from customers of a roadside eatery during iftar time on the second day of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 4, 2022. Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
People have iftar meals to break their fast at a roadside food court during the second day of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 4, 2022. Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, where they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Hafid Saleh a pastry chef in a souk on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
Moroccans buy dried figs and dates at Amine Ould Aicha shop at market on the first day of the the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
Moroccans buy olives and other goods in a souk market in Casablanca as they prepare to break their fast during the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
Moroccans buy olives and other goods in a souk market in Casablanca as they prepare to break their fast during the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
Veiled women leaving the Al Aqsa Mosque compound pass through a group of Israeli police on the second day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, April 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
A Kashmiri Muslim child waits to break fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Central Jamia Mosque in Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Muslims across the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan, where they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Kashmiri Muslims prepare to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Central Jamia Mosque in Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Muslims across the world are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan, where they refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
People praise inside al Noor mosques in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramada. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
People walk outside al Noor mosques in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramada. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
Indian Muslims pray on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Muslims take selfies after breaking their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Muslim family breaks fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Muslim helps his son to drink water after breaking fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Muslim girl dressed as fairy plays with her family after breaking the fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India ,Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
An Indian Muslim woman prays next to her child after breaking fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India ,Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
People break their fast at a mosque during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Ramadan is marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Volunteers prepare plates of food to distribute among people to break their fast during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Ramadan is marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Volunteers prepare plates of food to distribute among people to break their fast during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, April 3, 2022. Ramadan is marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Men perform midday prayers in the street outside a mosque on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
A Moroccan woman buys her meat from a butcher shop on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
Abdeladim Kohail a pastry chef in a souk on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Casablanca, Morocco, Sunday, April 3, 2021. During Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, or drinking. smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
An Indian Muslim arranges food on a table for devotees to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, India ,Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)
Muslims break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, India ,Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo /Mahesh Kumar A.)
Indian Muslims wait to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Muslims wait to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India ,Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
Indian Muslims wait to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 3, 2021. Islam's holiest month is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)
