Of all the knowledge that can be obtained from reading this book, Ramadan was the one that could be said to be most interesting. Most Americans by at least age sixteen should have heard of Ramadan before and that it is known as the Islamic month of fasting. Not too many Americans have ever witnessed an "average" day during Ramadan due to the fact that Christianity, which happens to be arguably the world's largest religion (5, 1995), is extremely dominant in the United States. Therefore, education on Ramadan is often neglected in grade and secondary school for other topics like Christmas and Thanksgiving. In 1956, Elizabeth Fernea in "Guests of the Sheik" not only gets to witness this holy month, but experience it in the fullest as well. This paper will discuss the history of Ramadan and how it is viewed through the eyes Elizabeth, an American woman, experiencing this holy month.
             Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramada, sun-baked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" – to jump out of the frying pan into the fire (1, 1996). Thus, Ramadan is called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. It is believed the month of Ramadan is also when the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation." During Ramadan Muslims fast the entire month from sunrise to sunset. It is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and reflection.
             Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. In Guests of the Sheik (1956), Ramadan fell in April that year, which was particularly welcomed because it was a relatively cool month. Islamic feasts are calculated by the lunar calendar,...