ICUC Reflection on Ramadan
As-salamu alaikum is a common greeting among Muslims, meaning "Peace be with you."
My favorite month is here, which is the holiest month of the year for Muslim known as Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, it is a period marked by focused reflection, introspection and self-improvement. It is observed by more than two billion Muslims around the world. The Islamic calendar is based on a 12-month lunar year, and since a lunar year ends 11 days earlier than a solar year, Ramadan starts on a different day every year in a 33 year period. This year, the holy month of Ramadan begin this Wednesday evening, March 22nd , and ends on the evening of Friday, April 21st
Ramadan celebrates the revelation of the Quran, Islam’s holy text. It is believed that on the Laylat al-Qadr, or “Night of Power,” (which usually falls around the 27th day of Ramadan) God revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad as “guidance for the people.” During this period, Muslims emphasize greater devotion to Allah as they spend more time reading the Quran and performing special prayers.
Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, is an important Ramadan tradition. Depending on the time of year Ramadan occurs, Muslims fast between 11-16 hours for 29-30 days. They wake up before dawn to have a large meal, suhur, and break their fast at sundown with iftar. The observance of a fast from sunrise to sundown every day of the month cultivates self-control, gratitude and compassion for those less fortunate. I feel that fasting cultivates gratefulness. It's a month I get to connect to people that are less fortunate than me. When I'm hungry, I think, there's people out there that do not get food like me, fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for all Muslim adults except the elderly, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and those of poor health are exempt. Each member in my family has to pay Zakat ul Fitr which is charity donation suggested minimum ~$15 which is given for poor families to boost their income before Eid holiday.
Fasting is not only physical purification; it is also a symbol for the spiritual purification that Ramadan encourages as well. During the month, Muslims are also expected to avoid engaging in any wrongful behavior that may hurt others or themselves, including gossiping, lying and arguing. Muslims who are married also abstain from sexual activity during these hours.
Muslims view Ramadan as an annual opportunity to actively pursue moral excellence and bring themselves closer to God. Central to this idea is the concept of taqwa, an Islamic term in Arabic that has been defined as “God consciousness.” Muslims are encouraged to gain taqwa and to inculcate a constant awareness of God. Muslims attempt to read the Quran in its entirety, and it is recited during the special nightly “tarawih” prayers.
Many Muslim families, meet for iftar “ break fasting at sunsets”. Most of the time my family invite other people's to our houses for breaking fast together. It is almost like having 30 thanksgiving dinners for a month with 30 different authentic delicious meal meals, then go the Mosque for night prayers. My daughters typically go the extra step and make us the menu of night iftar. I think overall, knowing that other people are also doing the same thing as me – fasting and praying – emboldens solidarity and community among Muslims. Some of challenges I personally sometimes face during Ramadan. “Normally, work itself is a lot – the work, the daily life.” But Ramadan can make it more difficult. “I need to go to sleep Two hour later than normal, I need to get up an hour earlier than normal, and then maybe try to go back to sleep again for an house after preform the 1st prayer before sunrise. So I'm naturally really tired throughout the day, in addition to the fact that I can't eat or drink. But the benefits of Ramadan are worth the hours of fasting. Month of Ramadan gave me the opportunity to move away from my busy lives and connect with God and my loved ones. Working for Merck for the past 30 years has made me feel especially grateful for the community and support of my fellow colleagues. Merck has allowed me to develop devices support programs that has saved many lives and for that I am beyond grateful.
Ramadan comes to an end with the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. On the morning of Eid, families attend special prayers at the mosque and later exchange gifts, eat food and socialize. Eid Mubarak is the traditional holiday greeting, so be sure to wish your Muslim friends Eid Mubarak on April 21st!
Ramadan Mubarak