John Eight Thirty Two
• Sep. 15, 2007 - RAMADAN!!!
In the last few weeks our already noisy neighbourhood has been 'louder' than usual if that is possible. Our Muslim neighbours, and there are a lot of them, have been setting fire-crackers off at all times of the day and night for the last few weeks, in preparation for the month of Ramadan. They have put up flashing lights in their windows, flickering shapes of the crescent moon and stars. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the name is derived from the word "ramd" which means 'to burn'. During this month, it is forbidden to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours. There are other restrictions but I will not get into that except to say that no Muslim baby will be conceived during the daylight hours of this month  .
Ramadan predates the Islamic calendar and used to fall strictly in the summer months. The Muslims believe that the Quran was given to Mohammed during this month. The restrictions imposed are so great so that the combination of the heat of summer and abstinence from food and water will ensure that their sins will literally be burned away. How this is applied practically is that at 4am, for the whole month, a crier goes through the streets waking people up by banging on pots and pans, ringing bells and shouting 'wonderful' things about Allah and Ramadan and telling people to eat and drink while the moon is still visible. Then the neighbourhood comes alive with noise. By Islamic law, before adolescence, children do not have to fast but we know of children as young as the age of 5 fasting. The parents say it is 'the child's' choice because the child also wants to be closer to Allah and the child is also aware of 'purity' and 'cleansing'. Once the sun goes down, everyone feasts until really late at night accompanied by loud music and much letting off of fire crackers.
My Muslim friends say that the hardest part of Ramadan is that they have to prepare food all day so that there is enough for the feasting at night but they can't taste any of it or even drink water. They miss out on sleep at night and their days are extra busy.
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid ul-Fitr - the feast to break the fast. If I remember, I'll blog about that when it happens.
I am off to enjoy my cup of herbal tea. |
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We are a homeschooling family in the not so peaceful Middle East. Every day is an adventure and a blessing. We could do with a dull moment every now and then.
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• Sep. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Blessings,
Lori