Ali Morrison ~ Assistant News Editor
Ramadan begins Wednesday, March 22 and roughly 4-5% of the Lynchburg population practices Islam.
Many of us may not know someone who is Muslim but I think it is still important for us to learn about different cultures and understand what it means to support cultural differences.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is thought of as a time for reflection and introspection. For practicing Muslims, Ramadan celebrates the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran as he meditated in a cavern outside Mecca.
Typically, Ramadan is known as the month of fasting. Fasting lasts from sunrise to sunset and it includes not just no food, but no water as well. There is usually a large meal once the sun has fully set or starts to set, depending on their custom. Fasts can be broken with dates and water, but this is more of a snack or a way to get through the day.
Now, if you have never heard of this holiday or have never learned about Ramadan, you may be thinking: what’s the point of not eating or drinking? Muslims undertake fasting as a way of purifying the body and cleansing the soul. For many, during the month of Ramadan, one must also abstain from sexual activities from sunup to sundown as another way to ensure purity.
This is an important month for practicing Muslims and you may have some friends that will be celebrating. If you are not celebrating Ramadan, it can be easy to be negligent to your Muslim friends. Here are three ways that you can avoid being a jerk during a Holy month:
- Don’t fast if it’s not for the right reasons. Many Muslims find that their friends say something along the lines of, “I bet you lose a lot of weight fasting for a month. I’ll do it too so I can lose some weight!” This is rude to say, because Ramadan isn’t about losing weight. If you feel like fasting will make you feel more spiritually cleansed, then maybe it’s best to talk with a practicing Muslim to make sure it’s okay.
- Avoid eating in front of your Muslim friends. I get it, it’s lunchtime and you haven’t eaten all day. But, eating in front of practicing Muslims during Ramadan isn’t cool. Instead, maybe take your lunch outside or to a different location.
- Offer dinner plans AFTER sunset. If you want to go out and have dinner with some of your practicing Muslim friends, check when the sun sets that evening and then go. Especially at school, the sense of community for a practicing Muslim may be shifted. Be supportive!
Ramadan will end on April 21st, so this is a great time to educate yourself and learn how to be supportive to those that celebrate Ramadan. If you have questions or want to learn more, visit the Spiritual Life Center!
