CAIR-Philadelphia

Several local Muslims said fasting reminds them of the suffering of the poor and teaches them about humility, patience and spirituality. It's also a time to ask forgiveness for sins. "To me, it's that spiritual element, where you look at the fact that there are poor people in Philadelphia and around the world, and you start to feel what they feel," said Rugiatu Conteh, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

American Muslims are divided over the proposed mosque near ground zero — for some, the plans have provided a teachable moment, for others, it has needlessly provoked a torrent of anti-Muslim rhetoric.