(cry-MEE-un tuh-TARS) – Crimean Tatars are preparing now for Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer that’s expected to begin this year on February 28. While most Crimean Tatars celebrate the three-day holiday that marks the end of the fast, a much smaller number actually take part in the fast itself, abstaining from food, water, and other pleasures from sunup to sundown each day. That means getting up very early before sunrise to eat a big breakfast and hydrate for the day ahead, and then enjoying a large meal in the evening after sunset. Many try to read more in the Quran and pray more diligently during this month, and many are more open to discussing spiritual matters. Those fasting hope that God will be pleased with their sacrifice and will accept them because of it. Please pray for Crimean Tatars and other Muslims as they prepare for the coming fast. Ask God to send them dreams and visions of Jesus that will move them to ask questions of the believers around them. Pray for believers to initiate conversations with them by asking how they are observing Ramadan and pursue opportunities to share the gospel with their Muslim neighbors, friends, and co-workers.