Ramadan begins on a high note

ANKIT ADHIKARI 

KATHMANDU, AUG 13

 
The moon on Thursday night, this week, may have not looked any different to most of us, but for Muslims around the world it marked the beginning of their angst month.

Thursday’s moonlight signalled the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar which, according to Islamic belief, is the month when The Quran, the book of Islam, was revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to Prophet Mohammed.

The month, observed as the most rigorous period of the Islamic lunar year, is one when Muslims across the globe observe Roza (fasting)—abstaining from food, water and all other physical needs from sunrise to sunset. Islam has made the Roza compulsory for all Muslims except for children, sick, the pregnant and old people. There are an estimated 2.5 million Muslims in Nepal.

“This is the most joyful period of the year,” said Mustaq Ali Khan, a visitor who came to Jamia mosque, Kathmandu, for Friday prayers. “This is one of our biggest festivals. It also feels good to keep away from sinful acts for a whole month.” “Abstaining from food, drink and other physical needs during daylight are the features of Roza,” said Mohammad Mohsin Qasmi, an Islamic preacher at Jamia mosque. “Ramadan is also a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God and practice abnegation. Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.”

Niyaz Ahmed, Principal of the Madrasa School of Islam at the Jamia mosque, says Roza also means refraining from evil thoughts, actions and words. “Roza gives one an opportunity to realize the pain of the poor throughout the world who are deprived of food and other physical succour,” he said. According to him, thousands of people visit the mosque every day during Ramadan. “I am not fasting as I am too young,” said 12-year-old Shahrukh Latif Shauk. “I want to emulate my parents and brother who observe Roza every year.”

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which all Muslims are expected to follow. The other four pillars are Shahadat (Faith), Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Charitable Giving), and Hajj (the holy pilgrimage to Makkah).

The month-long abstinence, will conclude with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr the next month.

Published in The Kathmandu Post -- August 14