Ramadan 2021 (PDF)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ramadan 2021 (PDF) memo DATE: April 7, 2021 TO: WIC Coordinators and LA Staff FROM: State WIC Staff SUBJECT: Ramadan 2021 This year, Ramadan will be observed from April 12 through May 12. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar; therefore, the start of Ramadan shifts approximately 10 days earlier each year. Ramadan involves a physical fast, as well as spiritual reflection, charity, and community celebration. During Ramadan, fasting involves abstinence from all food or drink, including water, from dawn to sunset. Traditionally, the fast is broken at sunset with dates and water. The sunset meal, iftar, and the pre-dawn meal, suhur, are often shared with family and friends. Fasting may be exempted for certain situations such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, health concerns, and travel. Prepubescent children and the elderly are also exempt. While a person may be allowed to refrain from fasting, it is a personal choice, and they may choose to participate with guidance from their spiritual advisor and medical provider. WIC staff can help support our Muslim families during Ramadan. There are several topics that may be valuable to discuss during this time. • Be sensitive to the topic of fasting since it may be a deeply personal and significant practice. Always ask permission to discuss this subject. • As always, work with families to honor their traditional foods and mealtime customs. • Encourage balanced meals and good hydration during the sunset to dawn period. Eating a variety of foods can help ensure that meals are satisfying, and nutritional needs are met during this time. • Discuss mindful eating and body cues, such as hunger and fullness. This may help those who have been fasting avoid the discomfort of over-eating and encourage enjoyment of mealtimes. • Strenuous exercise may not be advisable during fasting hours due to lack of hydration, but movement can help with energy level and general health. Discuss options for gentle, joyful movement such as walking or stretching. • Ask families to share about their Ramadan experience! What are their favorite traditional foods and customs? How have they adapted their traditions during the pandemic? Reference – Complete Listing of Hyperlinks Fasting During Ramadan: What Every Dietitian Needs to Know (https://foodandnutrition.org/blogs/stone-soup/fasting-during-ramadan/) Ramadan: The Practice of Fasting (https://www.eatright.org/health/lifestyle/culture-and- traditions/ramadan--the-practice-of-fasting) Tips for Healthy Ramadan Fasting (https://health.cornell.edu/about/news/ramadan-fasting) Minnesota Department of Health - WIC Program, 85 E 7th Place, PO BOX 64882, ST PAUL MN 55164-0882; 651-201-4404, [email protected], www.health.state.mn.us; to obtain this information in a different format, call: 651-201-4404 2 .
Recommended publications
  • Ramadan: Exams Support Advice and Guidance
    Ramadan: Exams Support Advice and Guidance The month of Ramadan is a special month in the Islamic Calendar for Muslims and is one of the five pillars of Islamic faith. There are years when Ramadan overlaps exam period impacting many Muslim students who will be fasting. This guide is to provide understanding on how to manage Ramadan to minimise any potential impact on exams to support Muslim students observing Ramadan while undertaking their exams. What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. People wake up before dawn for “suhur” (meal to be consumed before dawn) and then fast until sunset where they will gather for the breaking of the fast ‘’Iftar’’. On average Muslim students across the UK will fast for over 18 hours without eating and drinking anything. According to the 2011 Census there are over 329,694 Muslims in further & higher education. This is a significant demographic of students who will be fasting whilst sitting their exams. Impact of Fasting on Exams Due to the length of the fasting day, there can be an impact on concentration and increased fatigue. Practical aspects for Ramadan and exam 1) Staff Awareness • Access to information on Ramadan and its importance to Muslim people • Importance of five daily prayers if any of them falls during the exam • Effects of fasting on concentration 2) Student support • Ensure you plan to break your fast so you can access food at sundown • Take
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Ramadan Information Sheet Introduction the Month of Ramadan
    Ramadan Information Sheet Introduction The month of Ramadan is the holiest time of the year for Muslims since the Holy Quran was revealed in this month. Celebrating the revelation of the Qur’an, Muslims fast from food, drink, and sexual intimacy during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual transformation with an increased focus on devotion during which Muslims spend extra time on reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast because of pregnancy, nursery, sickness, and travel along with elders and children are exempt from fasting. When does Ramadan take place? Ramadan is the 9th month of lunar calendar. Because it is 11 days shorter than the solar year, each lunar month moves 11 days earlier each year. It takes 33 solar years for the lunar months to complete a full cycle and return to the same season. In 2020, the month long fast of Ramadan begins on April 24th. The month begins and ends based on the sighting of the first crescent of the new moon. Starting on April 22nd, Muslims in the World will begin to search the sky for the new crescent, and in most cases, they will follow astronomical calculation to start fasting. The Length and Purpose of Fasting Muslims start fasting at pre-dawn and break their fasts on sunset everyday throughout the month of Ramadan. It is an opportunity for Muslims to have physical and spiritual training by means of fasting from food and drink, and avoiding sinful acts such as gossiping, backbiting, lying, arguing and all other actions may harm humans and all creations: Neglecting this essential part of Ramadan, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned believers, fasting is nothing more than keeping your stomach hungry whole day; therefore, all those elements are inseparable from fasting.
    [Show full text]
  • Occupied Palestinian Territory (Opt): Flash Update #1 Escalation in East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Israel As of 17:00, 11 May 2021
    Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt): Flash Update #1 Escalation in East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and Israel as of 17:00, 11 May 2021 • Tension in East Jerusalem has been escalating in recent weeks, centring on the Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City areas. Between 7 and 10 May alone, 1,000 Palestinians were injured by Israeli security forces, 735 of these due to rubber bullets. • Since the 18:00 on the evening of 10 May, over 250 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel spreading unrest in Gaza and into Israel. Up to 17:00 on 11 May, 28 Palestinians, including 10 children are reported killed in Gaza and 154 injured in Israeli airstrikes. Two women have been killed in Israel as a result of the rockets fired from Gaza, with dozens more reported injured. • The humanitarian community, including UN agencies and the NGO partners, is continuing to deliver assistance to those in need, with the protection of civilians of paramount importance. The current escalation risks worsening an already poor humanitarian situation, especially in Gaza, where the struggling health sector is further burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of immediate concern is the shutdown of Gaza’s sole power plant by the end of this week due to lack of fuel, with negative consequences for the provision of vital services. SITUATION OVERVIEW Unrest in East Jerusalem has been on the rise since the beginning of Ramadan on 13 April, after the Israeli authorities installed metal barriers outside the Damascus Gate, blocking access to a public area for Palestinians.
    [Show full text]
  • Islam in Kenya: the Khoja Ismilis
    INSTITUTE OF CURRENT VJORLD AFFAIRS DER- 31 & 32 November 26, 1954 Islam in Kenya c/o Barclays Bank Introduction Queeusway Nairobi, Kenya Mr. Walter S. Rogers (Delayed fr revl sl Institute of Current World Affairs 522 Fifth Avenue New York 36, New York Dear Mr. Roers: All over the continent of Africa, from Morocco and Egypt to Zanzibar, Cape Town and Nigeria, millions of eople respond each day to a ringing cry heard across half the world for 1300 years. La i.l.aha illa-'llah: Muhmmadun rasulm,'llh, There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet By these words, Muslims declare their faith in the teachings of the Arabian Prophet. The religion was born in Arabia and the words of its declaration of faith are in Arabic, but Islam has been accepted by many peoples of various races, natioual- i tie s and religious back- grounds, includiu a diverse number iu Kenya. Iu this colony there are African, Indian, Arab, Somali, Comoriau and other Muslims---even a few Euglishmeu---aud they meet each Frlday for formal worship in mosques iu Nairobi, Mombasa, Lamu and Kisumu, in the African Resewves and across the arid wastes of the northern frontier desert. Considerable attention has been given to the role of Christianity in Kenya and elsewhere iu East Africa, Jamia (Sunni) Mosque, and rightly so. But it Nairobl is sometimes overlooked that another great mouo- theistic religiou is at work as well. Islam arose later iu history than Christianity, but it was firmly planted lu Kenya centuries before the first Christian missionaries stepped ashore at Mombasa.
    [Show full text]
  • Everything You Need to Know About Ramadan Ramadan Suhoor & Iftar
    RAMADAN Everything you need to know about Ramadan I see the Sight the Moon 1 moon! Ramadan is the 9th Lunar month and begins with the sighting of the new moon. Muslims follow a lunar calendar with each Islamic month lasting 29 or 30 days according to the moon cycle. One Lunar year is 10 -12 days less than the Gregorian or seasonal calendar. Ramadan 2 Ramadan comes from the Arabic word Ramad which means dry. For 3 Muslims, Ramadan is a holy month of Suhoor & Iftar fasting from the break of dawn until Suhoor is the meal before dawn sunset. To fast one must abstain from and Iftar is the meal at sunset. Muslims food and drink and anything that distracts start the day with a healthy meal and you from doing good. This means we watch break their fast with dates and water what we see, hear and speak, and stay as was the tradition of the Prophet away from any bad behavior. Ramadan Mohammed peace be upon him. is a time to self-reflect and teaches us to perfect our behavior, be patience and In some disiplined, and increase our good deeds. countries the canon is used Extra Prayers 4 to signal Every night, Muslims pray sunset and the extra prayers called Taraweh. In the start of Iftar last 10 nights there is a special night called the Night of Power. It is said on this night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. 5 Eid al Fitr Tradition holds that it falls on an odd The sighting of the new moon once numbered night, but exact night is not known.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Fasting During Ramadan on Physical and Mental Wellbeing
    CHAPTER 4 The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing Chapter lead: Abdul Basit Authors: Ebaa AlOzairi Elamin Abdelgadir The effects of fasting during Ramadan on physical and mental wellbeing | CHAPTER 4 INDEX 1. INTRODUCTION 71 2. PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN 72 2.1 Fatty liver disease 73 3. LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT ACCOMPANY RAMADAN FASTING AND THEIR EFFECTS ON MENTAL WELLBEING 74 3.1 Dietary changes 74 3.2 Changes to physical activity 74 3.3 Changes to sleep 75 3.4 Cessation of Smoking 76 4. THE HOLISTIC IMPORTANCE OF RAMADAN 77 5. THE EFFECTS OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN ON MENTAL WELLBEING 78 5.1 The effect of intermittent fasting (IF) on mental wellbeing 79 6. OVERVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF FASTING DURING RAMADAN ON WELLBEING 80 SUMMARY 82 REFERENCES 83 69 l 330 | WHAT IS KNOWN? • Ramadan is a holy month in which people do good deeds and enhance their spirituality. • Fasting during Ramadan can lead to changes in lifestyle. • Fasting during Ramadan in people with diabetes can present specific challenges such as the need to adapt meals and medications. | WHAT IS NEW? • Fasting during Ramadan can have positive effects on one’s physical and mental wellbeing. • This can include weight loss, improvements to metabolic markers, potential improvements to hepatic health and reductions to feelings of stress and anxiety. • People with diabetes experience both negative and positive mental and psychological outcomes when fasting during Ramadan and in intermittent fasting (IF) outside of Ramadan • The changes, benefits and risks to one’s physical and mental wellbeing that can occur when fasting during Ramadan need to be considered when healthcare professionals (HCPs) provide guidance and when individuals with diabetes are making the decision to fast.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Haemodialysis
    Adanan et al. BMC Nephrology (2021) 22:48 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-021-02255-8 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Exploring the experiences and perceptions of haemodialysis patients observing Ramadan fasting: a qualitative study Nurul Iman Hafizah Adanan1, Wan Ahmad Hafiz Wan Md Adnan2, Pramod Khosla3, Tilakavati Karupaiah4 and Zulfitri Azuan Mat Daud1,5* Abstract Background: The festival of Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection for Muslims worldwide. During Ramadan, Muslims are required to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Although exempted from fasting, many patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (HD) opt to participate in this religious practice. Many studies have explored the effects of Ramadan on health outcomes, however, the exploration from patients’ own point of view pertaining to this religious practice is lacking. Thus, we aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of Muslim HD patients observing Ramadan fasting from three HD centres in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Method: An exploratory phenomenology qualitative study was conducted whereby subjects were purposively selected based on previous experience in observing Ramadan fasting. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted, and study data were analyzed thematically and iteratively coded using a constant comparison method. Results: Four major themes emerged from the data, namely: (i) “fasting experiences”, (ii) “perceived side effects of fasting”, (iii) “health-seeking behavior” and, (iv) “education and awareness needs”. Patients expressed the significance of Ramadan fasting as well as the perceived impact of fasting on their health. Additionally, there is lack of health- seeking behaviour observed among patients thus, raising needs for awareness and education related to Ramadan fasting.
    [Show full text]
  • Eid Al-Fitr Begins on the First Day After Ramadan and It Ends 1 to 3 Days Later Depending on the Country; It Is Based on the Islamic Eid Al-Fitr Calendar
    Eid Mubarak! Date • Eid al-Fitr begins on the first day after Ramadan and it ends 1 to 3 days later depending on the country; it is based on the Islamic Eid al-Fitr calendar. • Link to Interfaith Calendar for exact date/year lookup. Islam Eid ul-Fi·tr Greetings To recognize the Eid with colleagues or friends, you can say, “Eid Eid al-Fitr, also called the “Festival Mubarak,” the Arabic greeting which means “blessed Eid.” of Breaking the Fast”, is a religious Common Practices and Celebrations holiday celebrated by Muslims • In preparation to celebrate, women clean their homes and decorate them with colorful lanterns and ornaments. worldwide that marks the end of • Families get together for a fest on the first day of the celebration after prayer. the month-long dawn-to-sunset • Lavish banquets are repeated throughout the celebration that includes many sweet foods. • Celebrants devote themselves to prayer and visit their local fasting of Ramadan; it takes place mosque. • It is common for celebrants to bathe and put on brand new the first day after Ramadan. This outfits. • Muslims shower their loved one with gifts. religious Eid is the only day in the month of Shawwal during which Common Dietary Restrictions • Many Muslims follow halal food guidelines, meaning food that is permissible by Islamic standards. Muslims are not permitted to feast. • Vegetarian meals prepared without alcohol meet halal standards. Eid al-Fitr ( 3 days) which is the Impact to U-M Community • Muslim colleagues and students may request to take the first first day after Ramadan and Eid day of the celebration off.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Or Buy the Book
    N our Ene rgy Eating and Sharing Sustainably A Campaign By * This campaign contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Contents Green Iftar Guide – Introduction..................................................... 3 Ramadan – Reflecting on the Essentials........................................ 4 Together #GreenIftar....................................................................... 6 Thinking Globally – The Effects of our Consumption Patterns...... 7 Green Iftar Goals – Tips for Ramadan and Beyond........................ 9 Planning and Conducting an Iftar Event......................................... 25 Green Iftar Checklist....................................................................... 32 In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! “The seven heavens and the earth and everyone in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not celebrate His praise, though you do not understand their praise: He is most forbearing, most forgiving.” Quran (17:44) Eating Sustainably with Friends and Family Your Guide for a Sustainable Ramadan The Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, is a month of consciousness and reflection. Therefore it offers us an ideal opportunity to think about our consumption pattern and behaviour towards our environment. This guide provides mosque and student communities with the basic guidelines for organising an Iftar event in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. At the same time this guide offers concrete tips and tricks regarding the Green Iftar Goals (GIGs), which we hope will stimulate a sustainable way of thinking and a sustainable behaviour in Ramadan. Towards the end of the guide, a best practice example is included which details the important measures to be taken. In order to keep track of all the arrange- ments, a checklist has been provided at the end of the handbook. We hope to make a sustainable contributi- on with this handbook.
    [Show full text]
  • A Training Course During Ramadan
    by Heba AL TAIBI A TRAINING COURSE DURING RAMADAN How to make allowance for Ramadan without disrupting the course I still remember the fi rst time I participated Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims; the hilal (crescent moon) defi nes the beginning and the end of the month in an international training course and (29-30 days). Each day in Ramadan is defi ned according to the sun; it begins with sunrise and fi nishes with sunset. Muslims are not more precisely, I remember the fear I had supposed to eat or drink and they are supposed to give up bad habits or behaviour and replace them with solidarity, tolerance in the fi rst session concerningparticipants’ and respect. Ramadan is not only these principles; it is also devotion to God to teach Muslims patience and support for needy expectations. I kept on thinking: ''Am I going people who do not have enough to eat. This training course was unique as it was a live example of the Euro-Med concept: fasting to be able to cope with this large group is considered an Islamic or Arab custom typical of the Arab Mediterranean countries. from all these different backgrounds ? Is it Although some European participants had heard of Ramadan possible to communicate with them easily ?'' or seen it practised by Muslims, this was the fi rst time they experienced a Ramadan day with all its details practised Some of the training courses provided by the SALTO Euro-Med by Muslims. The training course was also special in terms of its resource centre aim to improve the quality of programme venue, as it took place in Bordeaux, the ''capital of wine'', in the activities by training group leaders in the knowledge, competen- context of Ramadan, the religious month for Islam during which cies and skills required.
    [Show full text]
  • Ramadan Meal Planner
    Ramadan Meal Planner http://basmatiblogs.wordpress.com A simple Ramadan menu plan with recipes and ideas 1 Contents Introduction 1 Ramadan Meal Planner 2 Suhoor 3 Iftar basics 4 Recipes 5 Soups 9 Mezze dishes 13 Pizza 15 Thai Red curry 16 Desserts 20 1 Introduction We all have a busy schedule and it is often a daunting task trying to fit in creating the perfect iftar as well as fitting in the usual every day household tasks, work and childcare while fasting. As the fasts are also especially long at this time of year, there is the added concern of ensuring adequate nutrition during the short hours when we are able to eat and drink. As a family, we have decided to move away from the traditional model of the mother spending most of the day in the kitchen preparing the iftar and losing precious time which can be spent on beneficial acts during Ramadan. A few notes: • Recipes are credited where possible • I have not included basic curry/bhaji recipes – use your usual ones or many available online (or substitute with your basic home cooked meals) • I have not included any food which requires deep frying as we prefer not to do this. However, you can of course adapt the menu as you wish • The 'iftar basics' are a mix and match selection of foods we normally eat and can be varied (or use your own favourites) • It is best to plan ahead and create a shopping list of foods you will need during Ramadan and buy them now (especially non-perishable foods such as oil and tinned items) and then do a weekly shop of fresh food • As we are focussing on eating well rather than feasting, the recipes are repeated during Ramadan, and we will often make enough to last the next day to avoid cooking every day.
    [Show full text]
  • Iftar@Kuala Lumpur 2019 Cherishing the Month of Ramadhan in the City Centre
    JKKN Corporate Communications Unit © 2019 Media Broadcast: ALERT: Iftar @Kuala Lumpur 2019 is one of tourist attraction programmes for visiting Malaysia in enjoying Ramadhan atmosphere in the City which is being organized for the 8th time for free and the guests will be entertained by Islamic arts performances. – National Department for Culture and Arts” IFTAR@KUALA LUMPUR 2019 CHERISHING THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN IN THE CITY CENTRE KUALA LUMPUR, 9 MAY - The breaking of fast while enjoying the beauty of Kuala Lumpur city in the glowing dusk have attracted local and international visitors since it was organized the past 8 years. Iftar (Break Fast)@Kuala Lumpur in the beginning of its organization since 2012-2014, was known as the Ramadhan Festival, and it was rebranded in 2015 to Iftar@KL which was coordinated by the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) along with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). The different in content for this edition of IFTAR@Kuala Lumpur 2019 is the availability of the Mobile Container Surau which was provided by JAKIM and the Organization of 7 Likur Nights (the 27th night of Ramadhan) @River of Life by DBKL that will be held on the coming 25th May. About 66,839 visitors of which 59,957 visitors are mainly local people, while 6,882 visitors to the location are tourists from the middle east, ASEAN countries, South Korea, China, Japan, Spain, Italy, German, Netherlands, United States of America and France, generating about MYR535,538.30 in total revenues and about MYR1,479,624.70 in PR total.
    [Show full text]