The month of Ramadan, the highlight for Muslims worldwide, is a time of special spiritual meaning.
This year’s observation of this month already started on June 29 and will end on July 28.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the time of the Muslims’ annual fasting, where nothing touches their lips from sunrise to sunset.
The month lasts either 29 or 30 days, according to the lunar months.
“This year’s Ramadan is more sacred than other months, as it was the month the Holy Qur’an was revealed,” Naseem Patel, a local businessman explains.
He gives more insight on the meaning of Ramadan, saying it is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.
The other four pillars are faith, prayer, charity and a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Ramadan is a time when the Muslims break their usual routine and with the fasting, spend more time in prayer.
It is a time of a harmonious and tranquil household, as there are no radios and TVs on.
Patel says controlling your inner desires, or as they call it their naafs, cleanses you mentally and physically and enhances your spiritual growth.
He says the true spirit of fasting demands of the fasters that that persons should have pure thoughts and refrain from backbiting, indecent speech, slandering and telling a lie.
Besides abstaining from doing and thinking wrong things during this time, they shower praises on the Almighty and do charity works every day.
At sunset they break their fast with one date.
The men then go to the mosque to pray, while the women pray at home and prepare a light meal that the family enjoys together after the men came back from prayers.
After this meal the men return to the mosque where they pray through one of the chapters of the Qu’ran each night.
They are up every morning at 4am for a light breakfast and then from 5.30am go to the mosque for morning prayers.
Patel says the last day of Ramadan, call Eid, is like Christmas for the Muslim communities.
Everyone dresses in their best clothes and spends time with the family, visits the sick and people who lost loved ones in the neighbourhood and feast on good food.
“This is a joyous celebration,” he says.
