Members of the Muslim community here in the Pembina Valley are observing the special month of Ramadan.

Muslims around the world mark the special occasion by fasting daily from sunrise to sunset as a way way to physically and spiritually purify.

The fast is broken during the evening with a special meal called Iftar.

"Usually mosques or community centres will be buzzing with communal meals and late prayers and this year it's an 18 hour fast," said Tasneen Vali of the Manitoba Islamic Association.

The fast is especially long this year for Muslims living in the Northern Hemisphere where daylight can stretch will into the evening.

During the day, Muslims must abstain from eating, drinking, gossip and cursing, and are encouraged to focus on meditative acts like prayer and charity.

According to Vali, fasting is intended to help refocus their lives on spirituality and remind them of those less fortunate.

Adherents of the faith can still socialize with their non Muslim friends and neighbours during this time.

"If you're going out for coffee, invite me. I won't eat or drink, but I'll go and I'll sit and chat with you, and that's OK. We want to interact and that can't be done if we just sit in our house and don't talk to anybody."

This year, the lunar month of Ramadan runs from May 16 to June 14.