Today is the first full day of Ramadan, the month-long Muslim period of fasting. Ramadan is one of the few times during the year that many Christians in the West hear about Islam in a context that isn’t political, and I think it’s a good opportunity for Christ-followers to learn a bit more about what Muslims believe.

Here are a few interesting and useful links about Ramadan, and how Christians can understand and approach Islam.

• Last year, we posted a list of Four Things Christians Can Do During Ramadan, and it’s still relevant today. Over the next month, consider making a commitment to pray for Muslims and learn more about what distinguishes their beliefs from Christianity.
• If you didn’t catch it in our link roundup last week, the Gospel Coalition’s list of Ten Things Every Christian Should Know About Islam is a very good place to start if you know little or nothing about Islam.
• The 30-Days Prayer Network encourages Christians to pray for Muslims through the month of Ramadan. They’ve posted a good overview of Ramadan that explains what it is and why it’s significant to Islam. They’ve also posted a number of articles discussing how Christians should (and shouldn’t) talk to Muslims about faith and Jesus Christ.
• The Answering Islam site has a large archive of articles and dialogues about Islam and Christianity. Among other things, they describe four questions Muslims ask about Christianity, explaining some of the theological “stumbling blocks” that Muslims encounter when they consider Christianity’s claims.

Lastly, in the video clip below, apologist Lee Strobel is asked what distinguishes Christianity from Islam, and why he has chosen to follow Christ. How would you answer if you were asked why you believe the Bible’s claims, and not the Koran’s?