Celebrating Ramadan
PWS handwork teacher, Mariama Loos-Diallo, shares her family's experience with Ramadan, the Muslim holiday that begins on April 14 and lasts for 30 days, in a conversation with her father, Daby Diallo, about what it has been like to celebrate Ramadan, and to be a Muslim, both in his native Senegal and here in the United States.
I grew up in a home where my two parents had different faith traditions. While I learned prayers from both and asked questions about both of my parents' thoughts and beliefs, they always spoke supportively of each other's traditions. Meanwhile, my sisters and I were always left to take up what was powerful and meaningful to aid us in our own spiritual journeys.
Today, I want to share a bit about Ramadan, one hugely important tradition in my father's faith as a Muslim. All my life, my father has taken time in the morning, evening and night to pray while facing toward Mecca. Every year he has participated in observing Ramadan. Although we do not all join him as a family in fasting (though some have), we try to support him during this time. Certainly our whole family becomes more aware of our daily habits and reflects on them.
If you would like to share about Ramadan with children, there are two books I recommend: Under the Ramadan Moon by Sylvia Whitman, and The Gift of Ramadan by Rabiah York Lumbard.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is observed and celebrated all around the world by practicing Muslims. It is 30 days of fasting: People do not eat, drink or indulge in pleasurable activities from sunrise until sunset. It is meant to be an activity of cleansing.
At sundown, people gather to break their fast (first with warm a liquid drink, such as tea) and to visit with each other. Children as young as seven or eight often begin to attempt the fast, but it isn't until puberty that they are expected to fully participate in the tradition.
In addition to this cleanse of the body, Muslim people also use this time to make amends with people with whom they've had conflicts, and to give extra attention to their daily prayers. In this way they are attempting to cleanse their hearts and minds. When Ramadan ends, it is seen as a moment of renewal for both the individual and the community.
Eid al-Fitr, which this year starts on the evening of May 12 and ends the evening of May 13, marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims around the world mark Eid al-Fitr by saying special prayers together with other Muslims, and by sharing a large celebratory meal with family members.
Ramadan Kareem!
Ramadan Kareem means 'generous Ramadan', and it's said to others as a blessing, as if you're saying 'may Ramadan be generous to you.'
As we begin to observe the month-long festival of Ramadan beginning April 14, we encourage all of us to think with warmth of the many Muslims worldwide who will be fasting, praying and pursuing peace for 30 days.