Ramadan at Home
Office Of, Chaplain
The Muslim holy month is upon us.
What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Healthy adult Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are encouraged during the holy month.
Muslims believe the Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
During the holy month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
Different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan, whether it is special food they cook, or eating iftar with extended family. Islamic tenets such as generosity inspire most of these traditions, including sharing food and inviting guests over for iftar. It is common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the impoverished and hungry. Nightly prayers called Tarawih are held in mosques after iftar.
This Ramadan will most certainly look different, as all nations, including Muslims ones, take precautions and ban or limit social gatherings, and close mosques.
When is Ramadan? Since Ramadan is part of the lunar calendar, its date annually changes on the Gregorian calendar. Muslims tend to wait for the new month's moon to appear before they announce the first day of Ramadan. However, they can still estimate the day beforehand.
This year Ramadan begins on the evening of Thursday, April 23 and will end on the evening of Saturday, May 23. How long is Ramadan? Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days depending on when the new moon is sighted.
If the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days.
The Eid al-Fitr celebration marks the end of the month when Muslims celebrate a successful Ramadan of fasting and worship.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. There is also a verse in the Quran that prescribes fasting for all Muslims who are mature and healthy enough to do so for the full day.
Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God, and a way to become more compassionate to those in need.
Fasting is also seen as a way to learn patience and break bad habits.
How can we support Coe community members who observe Ramadan? Be mindful of how we might be inclusive of those who are observing.
Observe with the community when appropriate. We planned to hold our first ever Ramadan dinner tonight! This gathering was intended to invite our Muslim community members to observe right here on campus alongside our non-Muslim community members who wish to learn about this tradition. These experiences create a more inclusive Coe. We will do so next year. • For now, Ramadan Mubarak, friends.
Much of the information provided above was adapted from this article. -- Rev. Melea White, MDiv, MSSW, LISW College Chaplain Director of Religious and Spiritual Life