|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ramadan Observed By Muslims At CSULB And Across The World | ||||||
| On October 26, Muslims in the United States and across the world began their celebration of the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan.� The month, which is marked by fasting and is considered to be a highly spiritual time for Muslims, is observed by over one billion followers of the faith and continues until November 25. | ||||||
| When observing Ramadan, Muslims typically fast from sunrise to sunset, as well as abstain from other desires, such as sensual pleasure and even water.� The fasting, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), provides Muslims with "an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality."� Fasting is done by all who are able to but those who cannot fast, such as children and the elderly, are encouraged to do acts of good for other people, like feeding the poor. | ||||||
| "We fast to see if we can control ourselves and our desires," said Ahmad Almutawa, president of the Muslim Student Association here at CSULB.� "This event is celebrated by families gathering and is a great opportunity for Muslims to be close to each other, as well as to be closer to their God," Almutawa also noted. | ||||||
| Abdulaziz Al-roomi, who can normally be found at the MSA's dawa table educating students and passers-by about Islam, says, "During Ramadan, all the deeds as well as all the sins are doubled, because this is the month of God."� Al-roomi also noted that Muslims read the entire 600-page Quran during the month of Ramadan and that it is the "best time to do good deeds and offer apologies."� During Ramadan, Muslims also say special prayers called taraweeh, which Al-roomi said, "can last for an hour or more." | ||||||
| According to the CAIR, Ramadan is believed by Muslims to be the month when the prophet Muhammad received "words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel," which Muhammad memorized "and then dictated to his companions."� CAIB also points out "Translations of the meaning of the Quran exist in almost all languages." | ||||||
| Zahra Billoo, public relations chair of the MSA said that "students at CSULB should know about Ramadan because education and learning about other cultures is what works to cure ignorance, and ignorance just breeds racism and hate and prejudice." Billoo also conveyed how important this is especially to Islam, seeing as how "one out of every five people in the world is Muslim."� Billoo sees the month not only as a spiritual time, but also as an opportunity to teach others about Islam and its tenets, which can seem strange to some. | ||||||
| Islam consists of five pillars that represent the fabric of Muslim life - the declaration of faith, prayer, zakat (concern for the needy), fasting, and the pilgrimage to Mecca, called hajj.� Every Muslim is required to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime, and this takes place two months after Ramadan. | ||||||
| Because Ramadan is marked by the lunar calendar, the month ranges from 29 to 30 days.� Interestingly, each year Ramadan begins approximately eleven days earlier than the year before, and the last ten days of Ramadan are considered to be the most spiritual days in the month. | ||||||
| Copyright Gerry Wachovsky, 2003, and Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. | ||||||
| Back | ||||||