FRESNO, Calif. — Jonathan Howry was just weeks into his junior year at Clovis East High School when he offered some food to another student — and was turned down.

The student, a Muslim, explained that he was fasting during Ramadan, the Islamic holiday in which Muslims don't eat or drink from sunup to sundown for 29 to 30 days.

Yesterday was the first day for Ramadan, which always begins at the first sighting of the crescent moon.

Howry says he just didn't know any better last year but was compelled to learn more about religious holidays after the exchange.

Oversights like Howry's are common and local Muslims see Ramadan as an opportunity to educate others, particularly students, about their religion.

Zain Irfan, president of the Muslim Student Association at California State University, Fresno, says he gets asked many questions during Ramadan:

"Why are you not eating or drinking?"

"Ramadan — what's that?"

"Fasting — what is that for?"

Irfan, who is from Faisalbad, Pakistan, always tries to provide answers in peaceful ways.

He and other members of the Muslim Student Association also work at information tables in the Free Speech Area on campus.

"It is important to get along, especially in America, where you have so many people with different religions," says Irfan, who is studying civil engineering. "In a mixed society, it's just better."

During Ramadan, the interfaith clubs on campus usually present Muslim guest speakers to talk about the holiday. Some mosques also provide Ramadan kits, which students can use to educate others about the crescent moon, the Quran, prayer, Allah and volunteer work.

Kim Leslie, an English teacher at Clovis East and adviser to the school's interfaith club, says it is important to share information that creates a better understanding of various religions.

"There is a lot of ignorance," he says. "There can be a lot of misunderstanding and a lack of respect. We have a diverse school, probably the most diverse in Clovis Unified. So trying to promote cross-cultural understanding and interfaith is important."

Bob Boyd, steering committee member with the Fresno Multifaith Exchange, says there is value in students and others being able to bridge differences caused by misunderstanding. The Fresno Multifaith Exchanges arranges a series of visits to Valley places of worship, where clergy members and others present talks about their beliefs.

"We are blessed to have such diversity, but the problem is we really don't know our neighbors," he says.

Howry says he also sees holidays such as Ramadan as opportunities to educate others about what he has learned.

"Interfaith is a place where you can begin working to understand other religions — and prevent religious bigotry," he says.