Ramadan
...rsing babies do not have to fast. But they must fast at some other time when they are able. If they cannot fast, they are asked to feed a poor person instead. Muslims fast because they believe that God asked them to do so. By fasting they feel they become stronger in their faith (Shu’aib, 1999). They also learn how poor people feel when they do not have enough food to eat. Each morning the family rises early to eat their breakfast. If Ramadan falls in the winter when the days are shorter, the meal will be light. If it is in summertime and there are many hours before sunset, then the meal will be much larger (Hartman, 2000). After breakfast the family gets ready for prayers either at home or at the mosque, a building where prayers are said daily. At sunset Muslims break their fast with a glass of water or by eating a few dates (Hartman, 2000). This is what the prophet Muhammad did. Everyone leaves the table to pray. When prayers are over, they return to enjoy a wonderful meal. The meal at sunset is called iftar (Ghazi, 1996). Different foods are cooked at home or bought at a store. Long ago people would listen for the call from the minaret of the mosque to know when it was sunset. Today, in large cities in the United States, the time is announced on radio or television. The time of sunset is also listed in local newspapers. In other areas, people telephone the mosque or Islamic center for information about sunset (Hoyt-Goldsmith, 2001). Muslims try to read the Koran from start to finish at least once during Ramadan. The Koran is a holy book in which all of the words that the angel told Muhammad are written. The Koran has some of the same stories found in the Old and New Testament of the Bible. The words are in Arabic language. The Koran tells Muslims how to live, how to be kind and loving to others, and tells them to trust God at all times. The Koran has been translated into other languages, such as English. However, Muslims believe that if the words are not in Arabic, they do not have the same power (Syed, 2001). For this reason, all Muslims try to learn to read Arabic, which is read from left to right. When the Koran is read aloud, the words are chanted. Muslim men and women cover their heads while reading the Koran as a sign of respect. The Koran cannot ever touch the ground or get dirty. Muslims keep it covered with cloth when they are not using it. The Koran has 114 chapters called suras (Syed, 2001). Muslims try to memorize as many verses as they can. This takes many years of study because there are over 6,000 verses. If someone memorizes the entire Koran, the person is called a Hafiz (Syed, 2001). During Ramadan there are few activities planned during the day. In Muslim countries, restaurants are closed. Everyone waits until evening. When night arrives, mosques are lit, and restaurants and amusement parks are open. There is visiting and shopping. The twenty seventh night of Ramadan is called Night of Power. Muslims believe that this is when the Koran was first given to Muhammad (Shu’aib, 1999). Because they are not totally sure of the exact night, some Muslims spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in deep prayer. Many Muslims believe that the last ten nights of Ramadan are holy. They believe that during these nights angels come down to earth and bless everyone (Shu’aib, 1999). Id al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. “Id” is an Arabic word that means “a festival of happiness and a time of great joy.” The last week of Ramadan, people prepare for Id al-Fitr (MacMillan, 1994). Cards are sent to neighbors, friends, and relatives. Muslims give to the poor all during the year. But they are asked to give even more during Ramadan. The money is collected and given away a few days before Id. In this way, poor families have money to buy gifts and food for the celebration. Rich Muslim countries collect money and send it to the poorer Muslim countries (MacMillan, 1994). Children grow more excited as the month of Ramadan draws to a close. They try to guess what gifts they will receive. Will there be new clothes, shoes, or toys? But one gift is certain. They will receive lots of candy. Everyone gives candy of all kinds to the children (Ghazi, 1994). Adults also look forward to the new clothes and celebrations. Houses are cleaned and painted. Then they are decorated with flowers and banners. The mosques are also decorated with flowers (Hoyt-Goldsmith, 2001). The thirty days of Ramadan are almost over. Id al-Fitr marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. It is cel...