1. As we approach the start of Islamic holy month of Ramadan,
Muslims must also prepare to answer a flurry of questions by people
unaware of what it really means.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar,
and is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.
How do Muslims keep Ramadan?
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and a very spiritual time for Muslims all around the world. Many Muslims will attend special services in Mosques during which the Qur'an is read.
Fasting is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them of the suffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eat well.
It is common to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as the iftar), directly after sunset.
Because Ramadan is a time to spend with friends and family, the fast will often be broken by different Muslim families coming together to share in an evening meal.
Lets think how we can use this to ‘Be Human’ with our customers keeping Ramadan.
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr...
'Eid-ul-Fitr', the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, where Muslims not only celebrate the end of fasting, but thank Allah for the help and strength that he gave them throughout the previous month to help them practise self-control.
There are special services out of doors and in Mosques, processions through the streets, and of course, a special celebratory meal - eaten during daytime, the first daytime meal Muslims will have had in a month.
During Eid-ul-Fitr Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with their friends and family.
But to some, there's an air of mystery surrounding the practice and confusion about what exactly the rules are.
26 May – 24 June
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2. So here are some common misconceptions and explanations that quash the misplaced beliefs :
1. You're not allowed to eat for a whole month
Muslims do not fast for a whole month. The requirement is to fast every day from dawn to sunset for the duration of a month. But outside of daylight hours, food and drink can be enjoyed each day as normal.
2. You must fast, no matter what
Fasting during Ramadan is only for those who are considered well and fit enough to do so. If you're ill or have any health conditions which may suffer from fasting, you are not obliged to fast.
Young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly are not expected to fast. If you are travelling or on a long journey, you're also permitted to eat and drink as normal.
3. It's fine to drink water
Unfortunately not! Fasting means that no food or drink can be consumed during daylight hours - and this includes water.
4. Ramadan comes at a fixed time every year
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar,
which is determined by the lunar cycle.
When Ramadan begins is based on the sighting of the new moon,
which marks the beginning of the month.
Sometimes local sightings of the moon can differ, which is why
there can be discrepancies between the days different countries
start and end their fast. It moves about 11 days each year
in the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the solar year
5. If you forget and eat or drink something, you have ruined your fast
Swallowing something accidentally does not break your fast. So if you take a sip or munch something in a forgetful moment and only realise afterwards, you may continue your fasting and it will still count.
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