World Muslims mark ‘Eid’l Fitr on July 17
By ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL
“O ye who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may learn restraint.” (Qur’an)
About 2 billion Muslims in the world will celebrate ‘Eid’l Fitr on July 17 to mark the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
In the Philippines, as in many countries, Malacanang through Proclamation No. 1070 declared Thursday as national regular holiday in observance of ‘Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan) celebrated by Muslims whose number in the country is estimated to about 10 million.
Ramadan is among important pillars of Islam. Muslims are enjoined to fast from dawn to dusk in the whole month of Ramadan, the 9th in the Hijrah Calendar.
Fasting in Islam means abstaining from food and drink intake aside from prohibiting to think or do what has been forbidden by the Faith.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2015, Ramadan begins at sundown on June 18th.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America and almost 10 million in Mainland China —Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).
Why this Month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known asiftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2015 occurs on July 17. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
RANAO STAR
(With report from Infoplease and other agencies)
“O ye who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may learn restraint.” (Qur’an)
About 2 billion Muslims in the world will celebrate ‘Eid’l Fitr on July 17 to mark the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
In the Philippines, as in many countries, Malacanang through Proclamation No. 1070 declared Thursday as national regular holiday in observance of ‘Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan) celebrated by Muslims whose number in the country is estimated to about 10 million.
Ramadan is among important pillars of Islam. Muslims are enjoined to fast from dawn to dusk in the whole month of Ramadan, the 9th in the Hijrah Calendar.
Fasting in Islam means abstaining from food and drink intake aside from prohibiting to think or do what has been forbidden by the Faith.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2015, Ramadan begins at sundown on June 18th.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America and almost 10 million in Mainland China —Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).
Why this Month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known asiftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2015 occurs on July 17. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
RANAO STAR
(With report from Infoplease and other agencies)
