http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Interior Ministry announces new security plan on Ramadan [The Source: sabanews.net - 10/08/2009] Interior Ministry announced on Monday completion of a special security plan would be implemented during Ramadan Month. The Ministry said that the plan would accommodate the privacy of Ramadan and it will focus on three directions, which are securing mosques, carrying out security patrols in the markets and intensify traffic services and continuing the plan of banning carrying weapons. Ramadan, expected to begin on August 22, is one of the holy months. It is the ninth in the Islamic calendar.Muslims practice Sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, during the daylight hours from dawn to sunset.Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in Sawm from about age twelve.Fasting during this month is often thought to figuratively burn away all sins.Muslims believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the earth during this month.Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad told his followers that the gates of Heaven would be open all the month and the gates of Hell would be closed. The first day of the next month is spent in celebrations and is observed as the ‘Festival of Breaking Fast’ or `Eid ul-Fitr