THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN PRESS RELEASE
(Press release to announce Ramadan by Imam Ali Siddiqui, Jamaat
al-Muslimeen,
P.O.Box 683, San Dimas, CA 91710, Phone: 909-591-0745, email:
siddiqui@aol.com)
1.3 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate their holiest month of
Ramadan starting Nov 27, 2000. During this month, Muslim healthy adults
will
observe Fasting during the daylight hours. Muslim Fasting is a total
abstention from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days
of
the month of Ramadan. In addition, avoiding immoral behavior and anger
and
showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The
purpose
of fasting is manifold. Al'lah (the God Almighty) mentioned in the
Holy Book
of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers
as it
was prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire
self
control and God-consciousness. Therefore, the purpose of the fasting
is to
develop God-consciousness, self control, improvement of health by
reducing or
eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight
of
the poor, hungry, and the sick. Ramadan is a month of spiritual
consciousness
and high sense of social responsibility. The fulfillment of one's
obligations
during the month is rewarded by 70 times.
Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of
Faith,
Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the
wealth
of the financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj
(once
a life time pilgrimage to Kaaba). It is an obligation on every adult
and
healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. The month of
Ramadan is
also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down from 7th level of
heaven
to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace
be
upon him) in peace meal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very
joyous
occasion for the Muslims of the world. They fast during the day, pray,
and
read Quran during the part of the night. There is a special night
called the
Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran, as a night of mercy
and
light and worshiping during this night is better than 1,000 months.
During
this night, Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. Al'lah (the God
Almighty) send down special angels during this night to pray for the
mercy of
Al'lah (the God Almighty) and salvation for the believers.
Unlike common calendar, which is Solar based, Islamic calendar is Lunar
based. It does not mean that Muslims worship moon. It is simply another
way
to count days of the month and the year. Like all Islamic months,
Ramadan,
9th lunar month, begins after sighting Crescent, but not the new moon.
The
probability to see Crescent for Ramadan is on Nov 26, 2000 just after
sunset
on the western horizon. The population of Muslims in the US is
estimated at
7 million, of which 1 million live in the Southern California. All
healthy
Muslim adult including homemaker, school-going kids around the age of
13,
factory workers, businessmen, and others among them will be fasting.
Your
Muslim neighbors will be getting up very early to take their sahoor, a
pre-dawn meal before starting their fast. So, don't get alarmed if you
hear
lot of noise next door. School staff has to show understanding and
consideration towards Muslim students fasting during the month of
Ramadan
from Nov. 27 to Dec. 26, 2000. They should be assigned alternate
activities
instead of strenuous gym activities. Physicians should also understand
that
their patients might be fasting. They should prescribe the medicine in
a way
that they could take it with their pre-dawn or after sunset meals.
However,
if the patients' life may be in jeopardy, explain it to the patients or
seek
help from a Muslim Chaplain at the local hospital, like Imam Ali
Siddiqui
(909-591-0745) at the local Community Hospital or an Imam/director of a
local
Musjid/mosque/Islamic Center. According to Muslim physicians, there
are some
physiological benefits from Muslim Fasting (total abstention from food
and
liquids) including lower of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and
lowering
of systolic blood pressure.
At the completion of month of Fasting, Muslims all over the world
celebrate
their holiday of Eid al-Fitr. It is the biggest Muslim holiday. It is
a
true thanksgiving for a Muslim believer for having the opportunity to
obey
Al'lah (the God Almighty) by observing Fasting. It is celebrated on
the 1st
day of 10th lunar month, Shaw'waal. The holiday begins with Muslims
putting
on their best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid congregation.
Eid
congregations are very large gathering of Muslim men, women, and
children
across the country. You can witness these gathering on places like
McCormick
Place, Chicago, IL, Regent Park, London, UK, or local Convention
Centers and
Community Parks. In Southern California, large congregations are held
at
Pomona Fairplex, Mile Square Park, LA Convention Center, and like.
Afterwards, people greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The
children
receive gifts of money and toys. After the congregation, Muslims visit
each
other at their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and
friends.
Don't be surprised if you are invited to an Eid dinner or Eid
celebration by
your Muslim neighbor or friend. Please do accept such an invitation.
The
hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim cuisine
will
pleasantly surprise you. Ramadan Karim (Greetings of Ramadan)!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE ACQUIRED THROUGH E-MAIL:
siddiqui@aol.com
2000-11-29 Wed 18:25ct