Holy Month Encourages Contemplation
Muslims throughout the world will spend the daylight hours of
this month fasting.
Oct. 27 was the first day of Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar. Muslims throughout the world refrain from food,
drink, smoking and sexual relations from dawn to dusk until Nov.
25.
The month is one of celebration, but also of reflection and
awareness of God’s grace.
“The purpose of fasting is to make people aware that God is the
provider,” said Mohammed Saddiqui, director of the Fort Collins
Islamic Center.
Fasting, or sawm, during this month is one of the five pillars
of Islam, the expectations of every Muslim. Each night, Muslims
break the fast with a meal following dusk.
“The whole month is dedicated to fasting and worshiping and
trying to be more generous, more charitable, more pious,” Saddiqui
said.
Fasting is not expected of those who are sick or traveling –
these individuals are allowed to fast at another time during that
year.
“Who is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days
later on. Allah desire your well-being, not your discomfort,”
states the Qur’an.
Historically, the month of Ramadan is when God first began
revealing the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, to Muhammad.
“In the month of Ramadan the Qur’an was revealed, a book of
guidance with proofs of guidance distinguishing right from wrong.
Therefore, whoever is present in that month, let him fast,” states
the second Sura of the Qur’an.
The Islamic community has numerous events planned over
Ramadan.
“Every night we have some extra special prayers after breaking
the fast,” Saddiqui said. “On Fridays we have a community breaking
of the fast, everybody brings something, some food.”
The last 10 days of the month, some Muslims will stay in a
mosque in seclusion. There is also a final breaking of the fast on
the last day of Ramadan, Saddiqui said.
Few students seem to know much about Ramadan. In an unscientific
poll conducted by The Collegian Wednesday, only 27.8 percent of
students knew Ramadan was taking place. Less than 40 percent of
students knew Muslims were fasting this month.
Some student organizations are planning events over Ramadan as
well.
The Muslim Student Association has already held an event related
to Ramadan.
“We basically had a dinner representing food from 23 different
Islamic countries,” said Alicia Chatila, secretary of the Muslim
Student Association and a junior management major. “We had over 250
people attend.”
The Palestinian Student Association will bring food to
International Night this Saturday, said Abir Atma, a volunteer with
PSA and a community member.
Amas said she is still reminded of trouble in the Middle East
during Ramadan.
“It is a holiday month, but there is not room for celebration
for the Palestinians who are under the occupation,” Amas said.
“Some of them can not even go to their mosque because of the
situation they are in.”
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