Spring Break
Muslims begin observance of Ramadan
Adam Browne
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Ramadan, which began Saturday, is the Muslim month of religious fasting and prayer to God based on the lunar calendar, according to current Muslim Students Association president Maryam Amir-Ebrahimi.
Amir-Ebrahimi said she is excited about Ramadan every year.
"I look forward to Ramadan all year because it is a struggle physically and spiritually," Amir-Ebrahimi said. "You deny yourselves things that are good for the sake of God, so you don't eat or drink during the day."
Abdul Awadalla, former Muslim Students Association president, said Ramadan is a time of fasting for all Muslims from dusk till dawn for a lunar month.
"It was instigated by God, and it was something done by all the prophets," Awadalla said. "During the fast, there is no eating or drinking during the day. If you have any issues or bad habits, focus on them to fix them."
Amir-Ebrahimi said Ramadan allows Muslims to renew themselves and family bonds and to intensify their relationships to God and to the Muslim community.
"For Muslims, it is a time of great happiness where we relax and get together with family," Awadalla said. "We wake up at 5 a.m. each morning and eat breakfast, and then go back to bed."
Ramadan isn't a New Year's celebration, Awadalla said.
"People think of it as a holiday, like Christmas, Easter or Halloween," Adil Hyatt, a junior in social work said. "It is a time of bettering yourself spiritually, physically and mentally."
Hyatt said the physical restraints include not losing your temper, not looking at lustful things or material things you want. Men cannot be intimate with their wives during this time.
Some students in Clark Hall mentioned what they did for Ramadan.
"Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims throughout the world where we fast for 30 days," said Shahina Begum Ahmed, a third-year graduate student in computer engineering. "We open the fast with dried fruits or dates."
Ahmed said this happens before dawn.
"Each day of this month is considered very sacred," said Ahmed. "Every Muslim is required to pray five times a day."
Ahmed said going to the Mosque and offering prayer is motivating and inspiring to all Muslims around the world.
Jimit Raval, a first-year graduate student in computer science, said the 27th day of Ramadan is the holiest day of the month.
"The 27th day of Ramadan is the holiest day, because in the Quran, it states that the angels come down from heaven during the night, and it is good, so we pray a lot during that time," Awadalla said.
Kishwer Jabeen, a third-year graduate student in computer engineering, said it's a very holy month, and it is celebrated through to the 23rd of October.
"It's tiring because you have to take on spiritual strength," Jabeen said. "It feels good to get closer to God."
Amir-Ebrahimi said she is excited about Ramadan every year.
"I look forward to Ramadan all year because it is a struggle physically and spiritually," Amir-Ebrahimi said. "You deny yourselves things that are good for the sake of God, so you don't eat or drink during the day."
Abdul Awadalla, former Muslim Students Association president, said Ramadan is a time of fasting for all Muslims from dusk till dawn for a lunar month.
"It was instigated by God, and it was something done by all the prophets," Awadalla said. "During the fast, there is no eating or drinking during the day. If you have any issues or bad habits, focus on them to fix them."
Amir-Ebrahimi said Ramadan allows Muslims to renew themselves and family bonds and to intensify their relationships to God and to the Muslim community.
"For Muslims, it is a time of great happiness where we relax and get together with family," Awadalla said. "We wake up at 5 a.m. each morning and eat breakfast, and then go back to bed."
Ramadan isn't a New Year's celebration, Awadalla said.
"People think of it as a holiday, like Christmas, Easter or Halloween," Adil Hyatt, a junior in social work said. "It is a time of bettering yourself spiritually, physically and mentally."
Hyatt said the physical restraints include not losing your temper, not looking at lustful things or material things you want. Men cannot be intimate with their wives during this time.
Some students in Clark Hall mentioned what they did for Ramadan.
"Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims throughout the world where we fast for 30 days," said Shahina Begum Ahmed, a third-year graduate student in computer engineering. "We open the fast with dried fruits or dates."
Ahmed said this happens before dawn.
"Each day of this month is considered very sacred," said Ahmed. "Every Muslim is required to pray five times a day."
Ahmed said going to the Mosque and offering prayer is motivating and inspiring to all Muslims around the world.
Jimit Raval, a first-year graduate student in computer science, said the 27th day of Ramadan is the holiest day of the month.
"The 27th day of Ramadan is the holiest day, because in the Quran, it states that the angels come down from heaven during the night, and it is good, so we pray a lot during that time," Awadalla said.
Kishwer Jabeen, a third-year graduate student in computer engineering, said it's a very holy month, and it is celebrated through to the 23rd of October.
"It's tiring because you have to take on spiritual strength," Jabeen said. "It feels good to get closer to God."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tedriii
Ted Rudow III,MA
posted 9/27/06 @ 9:25 AM PST
Christians probably know about as little about Islam as can be know. When we really think about it we realise how ignorant we are of both their religion and the people. (Continued…)
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