Here in the States, and in much of the rest of the world, we keep track of the passing year through use of the Gregorian Calendar, which is marked by the approximately 365 days it takes the earth to complete one revolution around the sun. This means that the majority of our holidays and celebrations tend to take place on the same day each year. However, for some cultures and peoples around the world, celebrations are marked through a lunar calendar—a system which measures their months through the phases of the moon. This causes some celebrations (from a Gregorian perspective) to take place on different days and during different seasons over the years.
I’m opening this post with a lesson in calendars because one such holiday nearly slipped under my Gregorian radar this year. But thankfully, it is currently still being observed by peoples all around the world even as I sit down to write. This particular holiday began on the twelfth of this month, and it will end on either the tenth or the eleventh of next month, finishing an entire lunar cycle dedicated to prayer, spiritual reflection, community, and extra consideration for those around us who are less fortunate. This celebration is known as Ramadan.
For people of the Muslim faith, Ramadan is a holy celebration that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. According to bbc.co.uk, this is because the ninth month is said to be when the holy book (the Qur’an) was first introduced to the prophet Muhammad.
During this entire month, Muslims must refrain from certain activities, including food and drink, during the daylight hours–only ever consuming water unless the circumstances require otherwise (for instance: young children, pregnant/breastfeeding/menstruating women, elderly people, people with health problems, and people travelling at the time are allowed to break their fast whenever necessary). A typical day during Ramadan starts with a main meal before the true dawn (the first glimpse of indirect sunlight)— which is known as Suhoor—and ends with a main meal after sunset, known as Iftar. In other words, any time after sunset and before the next true dawn is the allotted time for food and drink.
This process allows people of the Muslim faith to better understand the needs and feelings of the poor, and those who have often gone without food. Basically, celebrating Ramadan is a practice in empathy and sacrifice. However, those who celebrate Ramadan may also call it a practice in self-discipline and self-control, as it requires giving more to others and refraining from fighting, particularly under more difficult circumstances.
But we must remember that Ramadan is also a highly spiritual time—one that is dedicated to prayer and reading the Qur’an. Those who celebrate during this time feel that it allows them to draw closer to Allah (God) by reflecting on their faith and caring for their community.
The celebration of Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” This final meal after sunset involves the whole community, oftentimes being held out in the streets among neighbors as well as family and friends. This is the moment when all the food that was saved during the month is shared among the fortunate and unfortunate alike. Sometimes gifts are even exchanged, with children in particular receiving new clothes from their family members.
For Muslims all over the world, Ramadan is a time for reflection, for goodwill, for looking inward, and for empathizing with those around them. And whether one follows the Muslim faith or walks a different path, the lessons that Ramadan teaches us are lessons we can all take to heart. Ideally, we would take them to heart all year round.
But, at the very least, maybe we can all take them to heart for one whole lunar cycle.
And so, in closing, for the next couple of weeks remember to tell your Muslim friends and neighbors, “Ramadan Kareem!” (Generous Ramadan!) or, “Ramadan Mubarak!” (Happy Ramadan!)
For more information on the celebration of Ramadan, you can check out these websites:
10 quick facts for those who don’t know much about Ramadan | Amnesty International
Ramadan: What is Ramadan? – CBBC Newsround
— C.Q.
