حوار الخيمة العربية - Describe Ramadan to Non-Muslims

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Describe Ramadan to Non-Muslims

Ramadan is a time for fasting, of course, but it’s a time for separating the physical from the spiritual. Throughout the whole year we’re focusing on our body – we’re hungry, we’re tired, we want a hug. But during Ramadan it’s a time to separate this; to focus on the soul, which wants to worship God, so this is why we deny the physical body from sunrise to sunset. That includes no drinks, no food, no smoking, no intimacy with your husband or wife. Some Muslims who are relaxed during the year will be focused on what they are supposed to be doing, and there’s a sense of the whole community doing it together. There’s more support and more encouragement.

What is the aim of fasting?

There are many people who are starving in the world, so when you fast you feel what they feel all day long. There’s more compassion, you are more thankful when the food comes, and you learn that you can go without more than you think.

What do Muslims ultimately hope to learn from Ramadan?

To understand their faith more. There’s a lot of people who think they know what the rules are, what the Hadith [stories of Prophet Mohammad PBUH] are, what God said or didn’t say, so it’s a time for learning, and even correcting what you do.

Should non-Muslims try and understand the religious aspects of Ramadan, even though they don’t share the same faith?

I think people who are living in a Muslim country should try to understand it. Also, they must remember that not much is asked of them in this country; there is actually a lot being given to them instead. They may often complain during Ramadan, but they should just enjoy it, relax and take part in the occasion. The culture is here, but it’s easy to forget about because people see big buildings, offices and people in their modern cars. They don’t see the cultural and religious sides, but this comes out more during Ramadan.

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to be continued Ensha Allah

What can we expect from our Muslim co-workers who are fasting?

For the first couple of days they will be grouchy, like anyone who is hungry, so I would say be very gentle with your Muslim co-workers. After that they’re fine, there’s no hunger pains, but from then until the end of Ramadan, they get a little more tired and everything moves more slowly. They try to read through the Koran and they will have been up all night. As much as people think about the food aspect, it’s the lack of sleep that affects people. There’s little time to rest during Ramadan because there are extra night prayers, there’s waking up before the morning prayer for sahour [the small meal before sunrise].

The whole schedule is different. International and local appointments are a regular part of the government and rulers’ lives. How strictly do they adhere to Ramadan worship, as their daily routine is presumably a lot different to that of a taxi driver or construction worker?

The rulers are doing their job as they usually would, but then I would say a taxi driver and a labourer have a more physical job; they’re all fasting. This is the amusing part of the Muslim community; you have the poor people, the wealthy people, the leaders, and everyone’s fasting – everyone has to do the same, everyone has to give to charity no matter how poor, or how wealthy they are.