Ramadan is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It commemorates the ninth lunar month in the year 610 CE when revelations began from God, via the angel Gabriel, to the Prophet Muhammad. These revelations in Arabic were memorized by Muhammad, passed on orally, and later written down as the Qur'an.
During this month, Muslims believe that the gates of Heaven are open, the gates of Hell are closed, and devils are chained up in Hell so they cannot tempt believers on Earth. Muslims believe that because this month has been blessed by Allah, any good actions during Ramadan will bring them a greater reward.
During this month, almost all Muslims over the age of 12 are expected to "abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures" including smoking, gambling, etc. The fast extends from the first light of dawn until sunset.
This is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam, the others being sahadah, salat, zakat, and hajj.
In Morocco, Ramadan begins on August 11th and ends on September 9th. From dawn until sunset, one is not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, or basically let anything pass through their mouths that is not intended for medical purposes. Because of this, many stores are closed for a good portion of the day, and many people sleep, turning their villages into ghost towns. By doing this, it allows to pass the time easier.
That’s all good, but why am I bringing this up? I am bringing this up because in the Peace Corps, we have three goals, the latter two are:
1.) Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, and
2.) Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Many volunteers are going to take part in this tradition, and I am going to attempt it, as well. However, I will also try to incorporate my own religious practice into this project. In Buddhism, there are the standard five precepts; however, during fasting periods, many Buddhists try to follow the eight precepts. Obviously, given the culture that I am in, to refrain from eating meat, especially when going to others' houses, will be impossible.
During this month, I will try to take photos of the experiences that I have, as well as photos of the wonderful foods that the Moroccans make. I hope you all enjoy, and please wish me luck; Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, and they say that August is the most difficult month to do Ramadan.
2 comments:
Who decides in what month Ramadan is held?
Did they have to keep it during these hot times? Why aren't you allowed to drink water? It seems so hard to eat at times that you normally should be sleeping.
Ramadan is based on the Hijri calendar for Muslims. It is a lunar based calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian solar based one. Therefore, the holy months change from year to year. This one just happens to be in a hot time of year.
Ramadan serves many purposes. The main purpose is that Ramadan is a month of spiritual cleansing, by not eating or drinking, it gives an opportunity to resist temptation. If one can resist the temptation of something as important as eating, then resisting the temptation of smaller things would be easier, theoretically. Also, because everyone fasts, it creates equanimity for all Muslims, regardless of social status. Ramadan is also called the "Month of Mercy", so fasting helps us identify with the poor and homeless, who sometimes have to fast unwillingly.
Actually, the fasting schedule is not that difficult. I sleep from about 4AM until about 10AM. I eat at 730PM and then again at about 230AM.
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