Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation recognizing March 11 through April 9 as the month of Ramadan in Michigan.

In a video message, Whitmer said the month is a time of deep spiritual reflection, hopefully reminding observers of the simple joys of health, family, and community.

“Let us also think of those who are suffering and hungry in our backyards and around the world,” Whitmer said. “We pray that they will have some relief from their hardships. We have far more in common than we do that divides us. Let’s work together to have a wonderful year.”

People observing Ramadan fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning it’ll be up to 15 hours without food and water.

The annual observance is considered one of the five pillars of Islam, and is the ninth month of the lunar calendar used in Islam.