Arabic text translates as: In the Name of Allâh,
the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ramadan
‫رمضان‬
August 22nd – September19th 2009
Ramadan
•
What is Ramadan?
•
The significance of Ramadan?
•
Fasting: What is it? Who fasts? Why?
•
Typical Ramadan Activities.
•
Eid-ul-Fitr: Marking the End of Ramadan.
•
Working with Muslim Colleagues.
•
Travelling to Muslim Countries.
•
Conclusions.
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What is Ramadan?
• Ninth month of the Hijri calendar (Lunar calendar)
• Ramadan is an Arabic word; its root “Ar-Ramad” means “dryness/heat.”
Ramadan begins at
sighting of new moon
New
Waxing crescent
First quarter
Waxing gibbous
Ramadan
Ends
Full
Waning gibbous
•
Third quarter
Waning crescent
The Lunar calendar is 11-12 days shorter than Gregorian
calendar… therefore, Ramadan is 10-11 days earlier every
year.
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Can You Spot the New Moon?
Start of Ramadan could differ from location to another depending on ability to sight the moon.
Folsom, CA
New moon is 30 min. old
Esfahan, Iran
New moon is 90 min. old
Muhammad Nadim
Efahan, Iran
New moon is 50 min. old
KL, Malaysia
New moon is 24 hrs old
Alireza Mehrani
Ammar Tahir
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The Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan is the 4th of the 5 pillars of Islam
1.
Shahadah - Declaration of faith
2.
Salah - Daily (5) prayers
3.
Zakat - Purification of wealth (2.5% of annual
savings go to the poor) Zakah is an Arabic
word, root “zaka” means to grow, to
increase, or to be pure in heart.
4.
Siyam - Fasting during Ramadan is
obligatory to all adult Muslims except those
who are exempt.
5.
Hajj- Pilgrimage to Makkah - obligatory once
in a lifetime for those who are physically and
financially able.
Indeed, the month of Ramadan is when the Qura’n has
been revealed, a guidance for mankind and a reference to
the way and righteousness
Ramadan evening prayer at the Holy
Mosque, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
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The Significance of Ramadan
•
Month in which the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam) was revealed.
•
Special month of: Fasting, Repentance, Increased prayer, Increased charity.
•
Ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr: Day of celebration and gratitude.
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Fasting - Why?
Primary objective:
•
To attain taqwa “God consciousness“/ self-discipline Taqwa is an
Arabic word that comes from the root “wiqaya” which means prevention/protection
Spiritual objectives/benefits:
1.
Helps Muslims draw closer to God through increased recitation
and reflection of the Qur’an and additional prayers/worship.
2.
Aids in increase of iman (faith) and ihsan (sincerity and
righteousness) and removal of riyya’ (showing off).
3.
Aids in purification of the heart/soul and helps to improve one’s
character.
4.
Trains the person to do praiseworthy acts e.g. charity, kindness,
generosity, patience and forgiveness.
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Fasting - What is it?
Fasting begins at the break of dawn and ends at sunset
1. Physical Aspect:
•
•
2.
Refrain from food, drink and intimacy during fasting hours.
Depending on location and season, it can vary from 12 hrs to
17 hrs.
Spiritual Aspect:
•
Refrain from blameworthy thoughts and acts e.g. foul
language, vain talk, hurtful behaviour, during all hours
Who fasts?
•
All Muslims except: children, unhealthy adults (mentally or
physically), adults travelling long distances, and women who are
menstruating, in post-childbirth care, pregnant or breast-feeding.
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Fasting - Why?
Physical Objectives/benefits:
1.
A fasting person experiences some of the hardships of the
poor and hungry.
2.
Physiological effects include lowering of blood sugar,
cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.
3.
Improves strength, endurance and self-discipline through
physical abstentions.
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The (typical) Activities of Ramadan
•
Sahoor: Meal before dawn and the
first prayer of the day. People stay up
late and usually sleep around 4:30 –
5:00 AM.
•
Iftar: breaking of the fast at Sunset
(coincides with the 4th daily prayer).
•
Ziarat: Social gatherings e.g. visiting
relatives, sharing food with
neighbours, friends, and the poor.
•
Tarawih: Optional Prayers at early
night (20-21hrs*)
•
Qiraat: Reading of the Qur’ãn during
free time.
•
Qiam: Optional late-night prayers in
the last 10 days (02-04hrs*).
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Life in Ramadan
•
Working hours: Most companies adjust their working hours in Ramdan, Typically, it is reduced to
6hrs. Instead of 8. Staff are released earlier so they can get home on time and join their families
for the main meal (iftar)
•
Traffic: Traffic jams are normal in most cities in Ramadan, especially in the 3 hours before Maghrib
(sunset) when people break their fasting. Plan ahead to avoid getting stuck.
•
Shopping: Many shops decorate their windows specially for the month of Ramadan, and since
there is huge demand for groceries (sugar, cooking oil, rice, dried fruits, etc.) during Ramadan,
many shops do promotions/discounts on many items. Shops open late in Ramadan and some
even won’t open at all before sunset (coffee shops, restaurants, etc.). Shops usually close around
midnight, but many stay opened until late hours (restaurants)
•
TV Channels: A large number of sitcoms, talk shows, and game shows air on almost every
channel during Ramadan.
•
Streets: Most streets are decorated during Ramadan with colourful paper cut-outs & confetti. In
some other cities, these decorations are less visible, but still they look different in Ramadan.
•
Hotels: hotels offer open buffet for iftar, which is quite lavish in most hotels, and an experience for
the whole family.
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Giving in Ramadan (gifts/gratuities)
•
It is customary to give staff working in a household (drivers, house
maids, nannies, etc.) a gratuity at the beginning of Ramadan.
•
Alternatively, some people opt to buy Ramadan foodstuff for their
needy neighbours and household staff. A typical Ramadan bag
contains one or more items of rice, cooking oil, dates & other dried
fruits, beans, margarine, sugar, tea, and some pastry materials.
•
While neighbourhood kids no longer go knocking door to door asking
for Ramadan treats, it is customary to give the neighbours’ kids
(same building, etc.) sweets, nuts, or dried fruits.
•
At the end of Ramadan, it is expected to give a monetary gratuity
(called eideya) to household staff and all the family children.
* for 2005 only
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Eid-ul-Fitr: Marking the End of Ramadan
•
Eid-ul Fitr: The feast marking end of Ramadan.
•
Zakat-ul Fitr: A prescribed amount of money
obligatory on every Muslim, calculated to feed one
poor person in his region for one day.
•
Eid activities include:
•
Eid prayer in the early morning.
•
Visiting family, friends, neighbours, the sick,
elderly etc.
•
Enjoying festive meals (especially eid cookies in
different forms/flavors).
•
Modest gift-giving especially to children.
•
The greeting on that day is: Eid Mubarak
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If you are working with Muslim colleagues
Ramadan Etiquette
1.
Try to avoid the following for your Muslim colleagues:
•
Meetings which include lunch
•
Meetings extending after 5 p.m.
•
Department parties (or social events) during Ramadan.
2.
Be understanding that it is the most special month in a Muslim’s
calendar.
3.
It is common to take vacation during the last week of Ramadan.
4.
Greeting colleagues saying: “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed
Ramadan) is a very nice way to cross into a new culture.
5.
If invited to share Iftar, try to make it… it will be fun!
6.
You may even want to try fasting part of the day as a challenge
to yourself and to feel how Muslims feel during the day.
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Conclusions
•
Ramadan is a month of fasting.
•
Physical abstentions and intensification of acts of
worship are a means towards attaining the spiritual
objectives of self purification and improvement.
•
Essentially a month of training used to discipline/prepare
oneself for the remainder of the year.
During the Month of Ramadan
•
Be considerate of and supportive to the Muslims around
you, and enjoy the festivities!
Ramadan Mubarak TO ALL!
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