Ramadan: A time with which we can all identify
For thirty days, Muslims throughout the Greater Philadelphia region and around the world are observing the Islamic holiday of Ramadan. From September 1st to September 30th, Muslims engage in intensified prayer, heightened service and charity, and deep introspection and reflection to honor the month during which the Qur’an, the Islamic Holy Book, was revealed.
“Everything you do during Ramadan is more,” said Zeina El-Halabi, Interfaith Center Board Member and Executive Director of the Arab American Development Corporation, referring to prayer and charity work. The one thing that Muslims do not do more of during Ramadan is eat. From sunrise to sunset, Muslims fast. Besides two small community meals—suhoor, the meal before daybreak, and iftar, the meal after sunset—eating and drinking is forbidden.
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint… Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting…” (Al-Qur’an 2:183, 185).
A spiritual fast in addition to the physical self-denial brings meaning to the holiday, says El-Halabi. Many Muslims abstain from sexual activity, smoking, using profane language, and speaking ill of others during Ramadan. In order for the day’s fast to have meaning, five daily prayers must be said. Muslims are not alone in the ritual of fasting. In many faith communities, fasting is a significant aspect of religious culture and an expression of religious piety.
Next month on October 9th, Jews will attend synagogue to observe Yom Kippur, the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. Refraining from food or drink from sundown to sundown, Jews atone for their sins and attempt to become closer to God.
In March, Baha’is will fast from sunrise to sunset during Ala, the final month of the Baha’i year. “One month a year, we become detached from material things,” said Dr. Gity Etemad, Interfaith Center Board Member and Baha’i Community Leader. “This month is the most satisfying. It is when I concentrate more on myself. I am the most happy, productive, and creative during this time.”
Many Christians fast and abstain from meat during the season of Lent in preparation of the Easter holiday. Fasts are found across the religious spectrum. While the dates and nuances of the fasts vary from religion to religion, the underlying purpose behind the act of fasting are relatively parallel: to get more connected to one’s spiritual self and to achieve closeness to God.
In the spirit of the season, the Interfaith Center wishes all observing the fast a Ramadan Mubarak (May God give you a blessed month).
|
