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Show S^ FeoturesA Celebrating Ramadan Muslims around the world honor the ninth month of the lunar calendar with fasting and prayer. We take a closer look at this Islamic observance. WHAT IS RAMADAN? T his year, 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide will take part in Ramadan. The ninth month of die Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is the time when, many Muslims believe, die angel Jibril (Gabriel) began his revelations to die prophet Muhammad in the seventh century. These revelations became the Quran, die Islamic holy scripture. During Ramadan. Muslims seek to deepen their faith by abstaining from worldly pleasures — including eating, drinking and smoking — from sunrise to sunset Exemptions from fasting are made for people who are sick, pregnant or nursing. Children are not required to fast until puberty. Like Lent for Christians and Yom Kippur for the Jewish, Ramadan is also a time of contemplation and introspection. It is a time lo make sure one is following the will of Allah (God). In addition to praying, fasting and studying the Quran, Muslims spend more lime widi friends and family, especially at evening meals when they break the fast. COMMON PRACTICES During Ramadan, Muslims typically wake up before dawn to have suhoor, a pre-fasl meal. It consists of plenty of fluids, fruits, grains and other foods that are harder to digest and will sustain them throughout the day. Even if they do not eat a full meal, Muslims are encouraged to follow in the tradition of Muhammad and at least drink some UCT water and eat a The Quran is date. Following Islam's holy book. suhoor, Muslims say fajr, the morning prayer, and begin their fast. Following a day of fasting, families break the fasting together with an evening meal following sunset and the adhan, a call lo prayer. Following the meal the adhan is said again, followed by the Saiat alTaraweeh, the night prayer. Often following the prayers, the Quran will be recited. During Ramadan, die Quran is broken into 30 sections so die faithful can read the entire Quran by the end of the mondi. JOE BURBANK'ORLANDO SENTINEL A young boy looks across the crowd of bowing Muslims during the Eld prayer observance, commemorating the end of the Ramadan holiday, at the Central Florida Fairgrounds In Orlando, Fla. Ramadan culminates in a three-day festival. Eid ul-Fitr (EED al-FITTER) "the Feast of Fast Breaking," which marks die end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic year. The day begins with prayer that takes place in a community garnering at a mosque or outdoors. The fajr, morning prayer, is followed by the Takbiir, which is repeated until the Eid prayer is said. Before the Eid prayer, people are required to participate in the third pillar of Islam, almsgiving, by contributing zakat al-fitr, which is a measure of grain for each person. Typically people donate enough food for anodier person's meal, or the monetary equivalent. The donations are dien given to die poor. Following zakat al-flir, there is a sermon, die khulba. At Eid ul-Fitr. people purchase new clothing or wear their best while celebrating with friends and family. Decorations are put up at homes and children receive money from relatives. Understanding Islam Islam has exerted political, social and artistic influence throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Divinity Beliefs and afterlife • Allah, the only God and Creator of the universe Life and death: Life is a proving ground, death the gateway to eternal life; believers should follow a strict moral code Symbol • Crescent and star • Based on the revelations of Muhammad, a prophet born in Saudi Arabia around 570 A.D. • Judgment day: Angels in heaven record a person's deeds; on the last day, the book is read and all the dead are rewarded or punished Practice Sacred writings • Duties: Profession of the unity of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage • The Quran, God's word given to Muhammad; contains some stories with biblical characters Beginnings • Pilgrimage, or hajj: All able Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city, at least once • Worship: Muslims worship five times a day, at home, at work or with a congregation; an imam or scholar leads special services at a mosque on Fridays Where Islam is predominant Muslim population: £ j 10-39% 4069% •• 70-100% ' D Source: MuftKatth Resources, Hctionaiy of Worid ReSdons, CIA World Factbook Graphic: Pat Cair/MCT FIVE PILLARS EID UL-FITR The religion of Islam is grounded on Five Pillars: Declaration of Faith (Shahadah) Every Muslim slates ihc phrase, "There is no deity but God (Allah) and that Muhammad is the messenger of God." Prayer (Salat) Muslims pray five times a day lacing Mecca — al dawn, at noon, in mid-afternoon, after sunset and at nightfall. Since there is no hierarchy or priesthood in Islam, a person is chosen in the group to lead prayer. Almsgiving (Zakat) For many Muslims the food of Ramadan reflects cuisine from Islamic countries including India, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. TERMS TO KNOW • Suhoor (Soo hore): The pre-fast meal before dawn. • Iftar The evening meal and prayer during Ramadan. • Halal: Means "released" and pertains to what is allowed, specifically when it comes to food. • Haram: Means "forbidden for sacred reasons." • Zakat: Stands for purification; Muslims give up a portion of their wealth in excess of what is needed for sustenance to "purify" or legitimize what they retain. • Zakat al-fitr (ZA-kot al- FITTER): The contribution given at the end of Ramadan. • Lailat-al-Qadr (LAY-LA-toolKAklar): Means "night of power" or "night of destiny." It marks the night the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. • Takbiir (TAK-beer): The moming prayer recited during Eid ul-Fitr. • Imam (ee-mahm): The prayer leader. • Mecca: The holiest city in Islam, located in Saudi Arabia about 80 kilometers (49.6 miles) from the Red Sea coast at 21 degrees 29 minutes north latitude and 39 degrees 45 minutes east longitude. When Muslims pray they are supposed to face Mecca and can use a compass to find its direction. Almsgiving can be in the form of money or food but Muslims are required to donate as a form of "social responsibility and service to God.'" It is usually 2.5 percent of a person's wealth. Fasting (Sawm) During the ninth month of the lunar year, Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, tobacco, gum and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. Pilgrimage (Hajj) At least one pilgrimage to Mecca — Islam's holiest city, which is located in Saudi Arabia — is required of all Muslims who are physically and financially able to take Uie trip during their lifetime. — Beth Ward. McClatch)-Tribune The Quba Mosque, just outside Medina, Saudia Arabia, was the first mosque built in the history of Islam. SALEEMA H SYED/MCT COMMON PHRASES Here are some common phrases heard during Ramadan: • Eid Mubarak: "Have a happy and blessed Eid ul-Fitr" (Universal) • Kullu am wa antum bi-khair "May you be well throughout the year." (Arabic) • Atyab al-tihani bi-munasabat hulul shahru Ramadan al-Mubarak: "The most precious congratulations on the occasion of the coming Ramadan." (Arabic) • Elveda, ey Ramazan: "Farewell, O Ramadan." (Turkish) LUNAR CALENDAR While Americans typically follow the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar is lunar — days begin at sunset rather than sunrise. A lunar year has 354 days rather then 365. While it still has 12 months, each month is 29 or 30 days, and the start of each new month is marked by the hilal, crescent moon. Since the Isjamic calendar is shorter, the dates of Islamic holidays change every year, even though they have a set date on the Islamic calendar. Each year the holidays are 11 days earlier. It takes approximately 35 years lo complete the lunar cycle. Every Muslim will experience Ramadan in Uie winter, when the days arc shorter, and summer, where the days are longer and fasting is harder. This cycle evenly distributes the difficulty of the fast for Muslims living in the northern and southern hemispheres. SOURCES COUNCIL ON AMERICAN.ISLAMIC RELATIONS. HOLIDAYS HET. WIKIPEDIA OHO. HTTP //COLOSTATE EDU/OflGS/MSA/EVENTS/HAMADAN HTML. 'THE CONCISE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM' BY CYRIL OLASSE, 'ISLAM* BY PAUL LUNOE. McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS. HTTP I/WWW BOULDER LIB CO US'YOUTH'HOLIDAYS/flAMADAN |