As February comes to an end and March begins, the holy month Ramadan approaches.
“Ramadan is a sacred month for Muslims in which we believe that the Quran which is our holy book was revealed,” said senior Kenzy Ibrahim, who is also the leader of Lightridge’s Muslim Student Association. “It’s also the month where we practice fasting, which is where we abstain from drinking and eating from sunrise to sunset.”
While Ramadan occurs annually, it doesn’t occur on the same month. Ramadan actually follows the moon. Ramadan begins on the ninth month of the lunar calendar. They do this because when Ramadan was first celebrated, they didn’t have the same calendars that we have now, and instead followed the moon, Muslims want to keep the tradition the same. Ramadan is a very old tradition in Islamic culture, dating back to 624 C.E. It originated in the city of Medina.
During this month Muslims wake up before the sun rises, typically 4-5, to do Suhoor. Suhoor is the meal eaten before fasting for the entire day, what you eat during Suhoor really matters because that is what will fill you for the rest of the day.
Fasting only ends after the sun sets, this is called Iftar. During Iftar, Muslims eat little appetizers. They then pray Maghrib, which is one out of the five prayers that most Muslims do a day. After praying, Muslims eat dinner, or a complete meal. Lightridge is holding its own Iftar on March 15.
While Ramadan seems like a difficult tradition to follow, to Muslims, Ramadan is the time to come together and it’s the time when Muslim families are closest.
“I love connecting over a good meal and just being there for each other,” said Hadeel Heggi, a junior and part of Lightridge’s MSA.
“I love the connection between friends and family,” Ibrahim said, “and how its normal during this time for people to host dinners so we can all go and eat at each other houses.”
So what can people who don’t celebrate Ramadan do for those who do?
“People who don’t celebrate Ramadan can educate themselves on Ramadan, or even ask how they can help,” said Ibrahim.
