Twitter
Facebook
Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began Sept. 1 with the sighting of the new moon.
Some people wonder why the start and end dates of Ramadan change each year. Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, based on the lunar system.
The months on the lunar calendar begin and end with the sighting of the new moon. Because of this, the beginning of Ramadan rotates throughout every month of the standard Gregorian calendar from year-to-year.
Ramadan is a month to which Muslims all over the world look forward. The entire month is spent fasting, praying and reading the Qur’an. In fact, Ramadan is a month in which Muslims commemorate the Qur’an.
The religion of Al-Islam is based on five pillars:
• Belief in one God and Prophet Muhammad as the Messenger of God
• Prayer
• Alms
• Fasting in Ramadan
• Pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime
The Ramadan fast is applicable to all Muslims who have reached the age of puberty. The fast begins daily at dawn and continues until sunset. During the daylight hours, those who are fasting must abstain from food, drinks and intimate relationships.
Immediately after sunset, those observing the fast are required to break the fast by eating and drinking; however, one is not to overindulge in these activities. While the daylight hours are spent fasting, much of the night is spent in prayer and reading the Qur’an.
The Ramadan fast is for the benefit of the total person – spiritually, mentally and physically. While fasting, a Muslim is conscious of the need to appreciate and respect both mankind and the outer world as creations of the Almighty God.
Three days of celebration and thanksgiving follow the completion of the month of Ramadan. This celebration is known as Eid-al-Fitr. This fast-breaking celebration will begin Oct. 1 or 2 this year, depending on the sighting of the new moon, with an early-morning congregational prayer service.
For details, contact Chaplain (Capt.) Walid Habash at 480-1947 or 06371-47-1947.
(Courtesy of Ramstein chapels)
