A crescent moon rises over the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

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A crescent moon rises over the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Right now Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the holiest period on the Islamic calendar. What is Ramadan and what is the history behind it? What compels Muslims everywhere to devote themselves to an entire month of fasting and prayer?

Soumaya Khalifa, one of Georgia's most influential Muslim leaders, joins us to answer those questions and more. Khalifa is the Executive Director of the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta. 

Plus, she tells us about her journey as an American Muslim of Egyptian descent. We dip into Egyptian culture and one of the most iconic singers in the Arab world, Umm Kulthum. Here is a video of Kulthum in concert.