Today Begins Ramadan

[Winifred]

Happy Ramadan! Today begins an Islamic period of fasting and reflection:

Ramadan -a month of obligatory daily fasting in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held. The entire Quran is recited in these prayers in Mosques all around the world. This month provides an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God. This is a month when a Muslim should try to:

See not what displeases Allah
Speak no evil
Hear no evil
Do no evil
Look to Allah with fear and hope

Ramadan ends with a day long celebration known as Eidul-Fitr. Eidul-Fitr begins with a special morning prayer in grand Mosques and open grounds of towns and cities of the world. the prayer is attended by men, women and children with their new or best clothes. A special charity, known as Zakatul-Fitr is given out prior to the prayer. The rest of the day is spent in visiting relatives and friends, giving gifts to children and eating.


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/MrsBucket/ramadan091.jpg

from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.islam101.com/images/ramadan09.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.islam101.com/ramadan/&usg=__xZwcXQZngXTXX4TLT12dle2sX5g=&h=394&w=360&sz=61&hl=en&start=15&itbs=1&tbnid=GTvPjMZaaax4QM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dramadan%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26gbv%3D2% 26tbs%3Disch:1

[Winifred]

I have a question for any readers who keep Ramadan: I can understand not eating until after dark, but it seems dangerous to go without liquids for so long, especially in hot climates. How do you manage not to drink anything all day long?

[margaine]

Well, I am not Muslim but I've spent considerable time around some people keeping Ramadan in the past . . . some things
- food and water are taken just before the sun rises, so you are not without food and water since you go to bed but only since sunrise
- What I've seen is that people rest a lot during the day so you are not expending too much energy that would require water. I guess ideally you are reflecting and reading the Qur'an.
- Women that are menstruating are not required to fast, nor are small children, pregnant women, the elderly, or people who are ill (and people who are traveling, says Wikipedia). So that covers a lot of people for whom it would be especially dangerous to go without water all day. In some instances, if someone cannot fast, they can instead feed the poor. So if you are not feeling well, there are other options.

[Winifred]

Today, August 1, 2011, marks the beginning of Ramadan this year. Due to the lunar calendar used to determine the period of fasting and reflection, it is different every year.

Wishing that spiritual peace will win over conflict, all over the world, and that those in need will everywhere find succor.