[Peace] CF:CIMIC Press Release: Muslim Fast of Ramadan begins October 27

[Irfan Ahmad]

CIMIC Information and Publication and Outreach Committees have sent us the following information. We are circulating this information for the benefit of those who might be interested in it.
 

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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

 
CENTRAL ILLINOIS MOSQUE AND ISLAMIC CENTER        106 South Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61801---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release

 
 Contact: Dr. Mujahid Al-Fayadh (Imam and Mosque Director) E-mail: imam at cimic.org Phone:    (217)  344 1555Fax :       (217)  344 1555CIMIC email: CIMIC at prairienet.orghttp://cimic.org/                                                            
                                

 

Muslim Fast of Ramadan begins October 27

 

Urbana, IL, 10/25/03 On Monday October 27, 2003 the Muslim community of East Central Illinois joined more than eight million Muslims in America and over a 1.4 billion worldwide to start the month-long fast of Ramadan (ram-a-dan). Ramadan is the  eighth month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam.  As Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier each year.  The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called "Eid ul-Fitr," or Feast of the Fast-Breaking on November 25-26, 2003.

 

 

The Qur’an, Islam's revealed text, states: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an , as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting..." (Qur’an, 2:183-185).   

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions: "God has said: 'Fasting is like a shield. A person who fasts experiences two joys. He is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful when he meets his Lord.'".

 

 

Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection and renewal. It is also a time when people of other faiths can learn more about Islam and the American Muslim community.

 

Demographers say Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and around the world. There are an estimated eight million Muslims in America and some 1.4 billion worldwide.  

 Who Must Fast?

·           Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit, past the age of puberty, in a settled situation (not traveling), and are sure fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.

 

Exemptions from Fasting -some exemptions are optional:

v      Children under the age of puberty  

v      People who are mentally incapacitated or not responsible for their actions

v      Those who are too old to fast and cannot afford fasting.

v      The sick until recovering. 

v      Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles. 

v      Pregnant women and nursing mothers. 

v      Women who are menstruating.

v      Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed days at another time.

 

Special Events

v      Special prayers, called taraweeh, are performed after the daily night-time prayer.

v      Lailat ul-Qadr (“The Night of Power” or “The Night of Destiny”) marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first began receiving revelations from God, through the archangel Gabriel. Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadan.

 

Traditional Practices

v     Reading and studying the entire Qur’an  during the month of Ramadan (For this purpose, the Qur’an  is divided into 30 units)

v     Social visits are encouraged after performing the extra night prayers.

 

v      Inviting the poor the needy, and friends and neighbors for the collective dinners every day.



v     Breaking the daily fast with a drink of water and dates.

v     Muslims are encouraged to give  charity (zakaat or alms-giving) during the month of Ramadan.

v     Before the last day of Ramadan, the special Ramadan charity (The zakaat of fasting) must be paid by every individual and distributed among the poor and the needy in the community.

 

About CIMIC 

The Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC) “established in 1983 in Urbana, Illinois” is a community resource catering to the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the campus and east central Illinois communities. CIMIC serves as a place of worship for Muslims, and an educational and social forum for all residents of east central Illinois.  

 

To obtain more information or participate in any of the Ramadan activities at CIMIC call  217-344-1555 or send email to: cimic at prairienet.org or visit http://cimic.org/


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