Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers.

I’m back home in Oklahoma after a fulfilling time at the Religion News Association annual meeting in the Washington, D.C., area.

Who’s ready to check out the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith?

What To Know: The Big Story

Islam’s holy month: The new crescent moon Thursday marked the start of Ramadan, as the Washington Post’s Morgan Coates and Adela Suliman report:

Almost 2 billion Muslims around the world will observe a month of abstaining from food, drink, smoking, gossip and sexual relations during daylight hours — from dawn to dusk.

Pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating women are exempt from fasting, as are the sick, elderly or those traveling. Children are also not expected to fast.

The Associated Press explains:

For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything — even the tiniest sip of water — from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. Family and friends will gather for joyful nightly feasts.

An important time: Ramadan began “as parts of the Middle East approached crucial junctures in high-stakes peace negotiations during the holy month, traditionally a time of reconciliation,” AP’s Jack Jeffery notes.

Schools and sports: Across the U.S., Muslim students are pushing to designate Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of Ramadan, as a school holiday, Religion News Service’s Alejandra Molina reports.

Meanwhile, two English sports leagues are helping Muslim athletes observe Ramadan this year, according to the Deseret News’ Kelsey Dallas.

Two more Ramadan reads: CNN’s Saeed Ahmed provides an etiquette guide for non-Muslims. The Deseret News’ Mya Jaradat asks, “Is corporate America ready for Ramadan?”

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. Who gets to keep their property?: “The slow-moving schism in the Episcopal Church was manna from heaven for law firms, but hell on earth for people in the pews.”

That’s the stellar lede as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Frank Lockwood updates readers on years of legal disputes in the Diocese of South Carolina.

Two decades ago, I recall covering — with legendary Associated Press religion writer Richard N. Ostling, now with GetReligion — Episcopalians’ split over the appointment of a gay bishop.

2. Swastikas, bullhorns, guns: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. hit a 43-year high, according to a new report.

The Los Angeles Times’ Jaweed Kaleem cites examples such as two Orthodox Jewish men shot on consecutive mornings last month as they left Los Angeles religious services and congregants held hostage at a Reform synagogue in Texas last year by a man shouting conspiracies about Jews wielding political power.

CONTINUE READING: “For 2 Billion Muslims, Fasting Month Of Ramadan Has Started“ by Bobby Ross, Jr., at Religion Unplugged.