Muslims gather Monday for afternoon prayer on the first day of Ramadan at the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center in Lewiston. Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during the 30 days that follow a crescent moon sighting by officials in Saudi Arabia. Attendance during daily prayers increases during the holy month, particularly during the evening prayer service when Muslims break fasting with food following the prayer. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Mohamed Mohamed, left, Dek Hassan, center, and Mohamed Awil socialize Monday following afternoon prayer on the first day of Ramadan at the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center in Lewiston. Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during the 30 days that follow a crescent moon sighting by officials in Saudi Arabia. Attendance during daily prayers increases during the holy month, particularly during the evening prayer service when Muslims break fasting with food after prayer. Mohamed works across the street from the mosque where he helps new Mainers with banking practices at Androscoggin Bank. “Coming to prayer is a great way to get people together,” he said.  Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The Quran is read Monday during afternoon prayer on the first day of Ramadan at the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center in Lewiston. The Islamic sacred book is written in Arabic. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Sahal Darar prays Monday on the first day of Ramadan at the Lewiston-Auburn Islamic Center in Lewiston. Muslims refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during the 30 days that follow a crescent moon sighting by officials in Saudi Arabia. Attendance during daily prayers increases during the holy month, particularly during the evening prayer service when Muslims break fasting with food following the prayer. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal