Middle East Features
Muslims await beginning of Ramadan
By Pakinam Amer Sep 23, 2006, 5:08 GMT
Cairo - The new moon was finally sighted in Egypt indicating the beginning of Ramadan, Muslims' holy month of fasting as a struggle for spiritual transcendence.
Starting Sunday, practicing Muslims around the world are asked under Islam to to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight along with other restrictions and prayers in a long list of religious rituals.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is what Muslims deem the holiest month of the year. It is believed to be the month when the Koran was first revealed in fragments to Prophet Mohammed, founder of Islam, through the Angel Gabriel.
Marking this event Muslims strive to get closer to the Divine throughour Ramadan by good deeds, fasting and paying alms to the poor. Amongst other restrictions, inappropriate manners, bad language, and sex are also regarded as spoiling the ritual of Ramadan.
For most Muslims, it is also regarded as a months of connecting with people and the daily fast-breaking meal is oftena major social event. Phone calls, greetings, messages and warm hellos fly around as the month approaches.
Advice, Islamic teachings and fervent sermons could be heard throughout different media and in mosques as Islamic communities were preparing for the holy month.
Many television programmes in Islamic countries offer a wave of entertainment shows, talk shows and serials, designed to amuse the Muslim during and after his fast.
Muslims in Arab countries work only for six hours during Ramadan, as opposed to eight. During the day, many Muslims are usually pre-occupied with getting home as early as they can, before the rush hour where traffic, one or two hours before the evening prayer, is almost unbearable.
However, tlthough the month of Ramadan is theoretically based on the three foundations of worship, spending on the needy and observance of principal Muslim duties such as work, many Muslims seem to ignore the third base and take fasting as an excuse to tone down their day labor.
Some complain about having to give up their daily intake of coffee or cigarettes, which in the absence of they often become edgy and tense.
In Cairo, families and friends traditionally gather around the table close to sunset, usually listening to Koran verses or a prayer read out on television as they wait for the evening call to prayer, which is when they can break their fast.
In the streets, the 'Rahman (merciful God) feasts', where tables of free food and drink are set for the poor and the needy, are also filled with Muslim fasters who are as eagerly waiting for the same sign.
Muslims of Egypt are especially used to breaking their fast, not only when they hear the call to prayer cutting throughout the silent streets, but also at the firing of the Salahuddin Citadel's cannon, an Egyptian tradition of many decades.
The streets are usually decorated; colored tin lanterns - an equivalent to the Christian Christmas tree - adorning shops and supermarkets. Cart sellers of oriental sweets, dates, and cold drinks such as hibiscus, fill the streets.
Shisha Cafés are usually swarming with people; young and old enjoying the festive spirit of oriental Ramadan nights. Celebrations and feasts carry on until dawn.
Mosques around Cairo usually hold evening and late night prayers - the so-called prayers of comfort (Taraweeh), which last for hours. Carpets and mats are laid in the streets infront of mosques that rarely accommodate the number of worshippers coming for the prayers; which take place only during Ramadan and whose reward is considered to be immeasurable.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
page: 1
To the person that wrote the comment about pork chops - what are you and where are you coming from - I am not muslim and am English - but who gives you the right to mock one of the most loving relions on the planet - do you know anything about muslim religion - maybe it is not your fault and all you see in the news is the terrosits - but these are not true muslims - a real muslim would rather share his last meal with you than watch you starve - as i said im not muslim i am christian......
If all muslims are not terrorists than why are all captured and dead terrorists turn out to be ALL muslims?
Peaceful religion my arse...they even kill each other as sunnis and shiites so it is obvious those creatures have no hope of ever acting human.
Stay in your own nations....you dont belong in non-islamic countries.
Flies.
does anyone think the human body was designed to take breaks from consuming food and water? The whole thing is a total sham.
if ramadan is meant to be so beneficial then why not do it all year round?
anyone who participates in ramadan is being exploited and needs to look inside themselves and decide what they want for their own lives.
it sad to see decent people being psychologically manipulated into participating in this sham.
Ramandan is a time for fasting during the day light hours and then eat big meals at night. You are not ignoring food all day just during the day time. People who do not understand a religion then take the time to investigate before you start throwing hate into the wind and minds of others. Only fools do not take the time to study. I am a muslim and I do not mock Christians about their holidays. Jesus was not born December 25. What fools are you to mock others religions. Check out your bible and see what it says about hating others. Stop the hate. Yes there are good christians and bad just as there are good and bad Muslims. Most muslims prefer to be peaceful. The problem is human hate causes problems. Stop hate and live in peace. Oh yes I have been muslim only for little over a year. Islam is good if used correctly just like any relgion. Take a hard long look at Catholics and their problems with their priests. Do not throw stones unless you are with out sin.
I am not blaming any of those ignorant people. To me they don't know and will never, ever know.They believe what they see, this is their world. May Allah forgive them for they do not know what they are saying!
Abuse, insult use all the foul languages you can use, thats not going to change anything. ISLAM is God's, neither you nor any terrorist, rebel, pagan, or those who call themselves muslims and christians can change it!
We will not insult Christianity or Jesus for they are God's too!
ISLAM is all the way from the north to the South poles. Get use to the idea! Its a pure religion that was and is meant to stay forever!
Once again, May Allah forgive you in Muhammad's blessed name Ameen!
Muslims do not cause all the wars that are in the world.Muslim countries include saudi arabia and pretty much all of africa and there are no wars over there. Not all muslims are terrorrists so that idiot who insulted islam up there WILL burn in hell because muslim is the most sacred and correct religion. Islam is the only religion that makes sense and has a book that can be proven.MUslims do not insult christians, but since a bunch of christians are insulting us, i will fight back.
Christianity is a bunch of lies put into a story that makes no sense.
Jesus was not born on december 25. and if he was, you guys dont even celebrate you just order your parents to buy u the latest expensive thing in the market.And if october 31 is the devils birthday, how come you guys celebrate it by going to houses and trick or treat? that shows that u love the devil and that u will go out in the nght and probably die.
so as u can see, christianity makes no sense.islam is the perfect religion.in the afterlife, only muslims-- TRUE muslims are allowed to pass for the gates to heaven.
Allah leaves everyone else behind.
page: 1
MohammedSep 23rd, 2006 - 17:26:56
Ramadan in Kuwait and surrounding countries has the same atmosphere. In my country (Kuwait) families will deduct from their cooked food part to be taken across the street to Ramadan's house or tent.
Ramadan tent's are huge can take up to 100 person at a time and its will be filled with food from the local living around them.
Report this comment