Thursday Thirteen #9
By Grace on Sep 13, 2007 in Thursday Thirteen
13 FACTS ABOUT RAMADAN AND FASTING
Today is the start of Ramadan in the Islamic world. Here are some facts about Ramadan and the fasting ritual, a timely Thursday Thirteen list for me. This is my first time to experience Ramadan here in Dubai so I educate myself as I go.
- Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset.
- It begins about eleven days earlier each year.
- In many Islamic countries, the beginning of Ramadan is announced by a firing of a gun or cannon on the eve of the first day.
- Ramadan will end about October 12 (give or take a day depending on the sighting of the new moon) and then there will be a 1-3 days holiday called Eid Al-Fitr.
- Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit, past the age of puberty, and in a settled situation i.e., not travelling (so don’t freak out, you can have in-flight meals when coming to Dubai during Ramadan!). Pregnant women and nursing mothers are exempted and non-Muslims of course!
- When do you start to fast? The rule is that when it becomes light enough where you can tell a white thread from a black thread.
- The timing of Iftar(time where the fast is broken and you are allowed to eat) varies from day to day and is usually announced on the radio or television today. But the old tradition is to listen for the call from the minarets of the mosque.
- Muslims break their fast by drinking water and eating dates, just as how their prophet broke his fast years prior. This will be followed by a regular dinner.
- On the 27th day of Ramadan, fireworks are often used to celebrate The Night of Power - - the night that Muhammad first received the revelation of the Quran in 610.
- Most coffee shops and restaurants are closed during the day. Some of the hotels have at least one restaurant open for public but screened-off in some way.
- No music should be played in public. No live music or dancing for the entire month. However, pubs play some low background music.
- Office hours are shortened, work is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm only.
- Ramadan is a time for self-examination and increased religious devotion. The fast ends when the new moon is sighted again and the month of Shawwal begins.
I work in a hospital with many different cultures and we celebrate ramadan and dawali and many festivals of many different people. It really is fascinating — our administration has food brought in that is indicative of that culture and we certainly learn alot about many different people. Seems the more we know about each other, the less we have to fear!!
Great TT!
Lara | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Way cool. I remember watching some kid’s program and they were talking about Ramadan - very interesting.
mom not mum | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
I didn’t realize that they have to physically see the moon to begin. The Jewish calendar is also a lunar one (albeit with a leap month, so things only move within certain limits, not all through the year), but the dates for holidays are known years in advance.
Interesting.
Robin | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Most interesting indeed. Especially determing when light of day begins.
Dallas Meow | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
I love that you research when you come across something! Some wonderful information you’re sharing here—thank you!
The New Parent | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
There are at least 7 reasons in this post for me to be happy that I am not religious in any way. I’ll leave it to you to figure out which ones. LOL
Robin, I find it strange as well that they apparently have to actually see the moon. I thought lunar cycles are pretty well known nowadays. I mean, you can probably calculate the exact minute the moon will rise over the horizon for every place on earth up into the next 5 centuries or something. So why bother to actually watch for it? Ah well, one more of the mysteries of religion…
samulli | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
This is absolutely fascinating! I love your 13. I have to come back here after I get my article turned, sometime today hopefully. Or I’m not allowed to go home.
Merrie
Merrie | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Thank you for sharing this. I love the concept and wish you a peaceful month. we fast 1x each month and it is always a very spiritual time.
Marcia | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Very interesting list.
The fact that work days would be shortened would make me happy, but closing coffee shops during the day would make me a little cranky, that I wouldn’t be able to my much needed cup of morning coffee, to wake me up.
Happy Thursday, Grace!
Christine | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Thank you for the informative post. May peace be with you. Thank you for hosting. I used a paragraph from your post and referred back to you I hope you do not mind.
donetta | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Happy TT and thanks for sharing your new knowledge!
Yuriko | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Cool–I didn’t realize the starting date moved each year based on the moon. Happy TT!
Joely | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Intersting! Thank you!
Natalie | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
I knew some of these facts, but like someone else mentioned, I didn’t know that it started with the sight of the new moon. Very interesting. I wonder if coffee shops and restaurants lose a lot of money during this month, or if those profits are made up at another time. Happy TT!
erin | Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Thanks very much for posting this! I’ve always wondered about Ramadan but never had the opportunity to ask anyone. (okay - there is Google, I know…)
Wylie Kinson | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for sharing this. Learning is my favorite aspect of Thursday Thirteen blog hopping.
Happy TT
~X
Xakara | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
I knew some of these, but not all. It’s interesting that most of the major religions have some type of fasting component. Thank you for an informative 13.
Jenny McB | Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
In The Netherlands live a lot of muslims, so I was aware of Ramadan. i didn’t know all of this though.
Thanks for visiting my IJmuiden TT. Sorry I’m this late for my return visit!
Tink | Sep 17, 2007 | Reply