A Muslim says his prayers at Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia.

Mustafa Zemmouri ws the first Muslim to enter America records show as early as the 16th century. He was a Portuguese Muslim (from Morocco) and a slave to a Spanish nobleman. Today the US has probably over 1.5 million Muslims (accurate figures not available and estimates vary between one million and 8 million!) and over 1,200 mosques although two-thirds of US Muslims are still foreign-born like Zemmouri.

Not many Americans understand the Muslim fasting period nor do Muslims get many concessions to observe Ramzan or celebrate Eid but American Muslims often look at this as a challenge -- marking Ramzan is more difficult and therefore more rewarding. Photographs: Alex Wong/Getty Images