The holy month of Ramadan starts this Saturday, August 22nd, Insyallah.
"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint." Qur’an 2: 183
As is custom in the country where I learned about Islam, and eventually converted (Indonesia), I would like to ask you all for forgiveness for any and all of my actions, whether or not I intended to, if I hurt anyone's feelings or caused anyone harm. Minal Aizin wal Faizin, Maaf Lahir dan Batin.
For those of you who do not know, Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. It is celebrated primarily because it's the (lunar) month when the Qu'ran was initially revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
All healthy Muslims "of age" and not travelling or pregnant or nursing are required to fast from sunup to sundown for the 30 days of the month. The fast is not only of food and drink, but of emotion as well. It is to control the desires of the heart, so that we may learn self control. It is also to experience the ache and pain of those who go without--those who fast daily not because of faith, but because they cannot afford to feed themselves or their family. Through this experience, we gain closer understanding of their plight. It is common to donate the amount of food one would normally eat during Ramadan, or the cost equivalent, to the poor.
It may sound odd to most Americans, we who live in this land of instant gratification and excess food portions, that people would choose to perform a 30-day fast, yet it is something I look forward to with a great deal of anticipation and excitement every year, as do most Muslims. For while the pain of an empty stomach is certainly prevalent, and the dry, scratchy throat is distracting, the re-focus on faith and compassion is what makes this month special. The five daily prayers become slower, more carefully performed and examined. The extra time gained by the lack of energy at the end of the day can be used for calm reflection and re-reading of the Qu'ran, as is the quiet morning time after the morning meal has ended and the fast has started.
Families, friends and even strangers gather for "Iftars", a special breaking of the fast together. There is much sharing and togetherness, as people share the common bond of the fast. Most of the time, all faiths are welcome at local Iftars, especially if you bring something to the potluck.
At the end of Ramadan, Muslim's celebrate Eid al Fitr, a two-day celebration that brings together family and friends yet again, for two days of eating, drinking and celebration. The morning of Eid, the Mulsim community gets together for a special morning prayer. Here in the US, this occasion is an amazing kaleidoscope of color: color of skin, color of dress, color of cultures and types of languages. Even here in little 'ol Portland, Oregon, I would guess that over 100 countries and languages are represented among the 4-5,000 people who attend the Eid prayers. It's really a sight to behold.
There is no political point or focus to this diary, just my joy in the start of Ramadan and the thought that I could share a little of that with the rest of you, my dKos family.
Ramadan Mubarak! May you be strong in your faith.