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Wishing all Ramadan Mubarak

Posted by Nomadic • 9/01/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: fast, humilty, Islam, muslim, ramadan, religion

What does Ramadan mean to you? If you are Muslim, what good deeds are you planning?

Maybe non Muslims too can take some time to consider patience and humility - even without the need to fast.

User Comments

9/01/08

pointlessbanter

It doesn't even register on my radar.

[reply]
9/01/08

globalgirl

For those who don't know about this Muslim holiday: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Let's see what Bush said a couple days ago:

Bush offers Ramadan best wishes

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush on Friday offered his best wishes for Muslims around the world as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.

"I send greetings to Muslims observing Ramadan in America and around the globe," he said in a statement released by the White House. "Laura and I send our best wishes. Ramadan Mubarak."

"I thank the men and women of the Muslim community for their contributions to America. Your love of family, and gratitude to God have strengthened the moral fabric of our country. Our nation is stronger and more hopeful because of the generosity, talents, and compassion of our Muslim citizens," he said.

During Ramadan, which starts on September 1, observant Muslims eat a light pre-dawn meal and fast until sunset, a practice aimed at fostering self-discipline, sacrifice and empathy for the poor.

afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKH6BgMcsLLNBWpCqiMum9CjTXYA

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  irtiza104
  
  wow...i didnt know that he could b nice 2 muslims. sorry but thats the way i feel. plz dont b offended. take care
2. 9/04/08
  
  kashifmahmood
  
  It is by no means considered a holiday . It lasts for one whole month !
9/01/08

Enlight

Well, I am in South East Turkey, and a person would never know that it is Ramadan, there are many people in the streets that still eat and drink.

Patience and humility are qualities that will not result from fasting. I was in the Arab world for 10 months and the majority are not patient people.

Also Ramadan kind of the same thing as Lent for the Christians.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  globalgirl
  
  "Lent" is a Catholic practice.
  
  However, I am a Christian and fast, though I have not done so in awhile.
  
  May PEACE prevail on earth, for all people and all nations.
2. 9/01/08
  
  carlgalloway
  
  Interesting perspective, and when I was living in Germany last year I don't remember many Turkish people observing Ramadan. Maybe Turkish and Kurdish people are less worried about observing traditions than the rest of the muslim world.
3. 9/01/08
  
  globalgirl
  
  I, too, have friends in Muslim nations and have heard from them that during Ramadan some Muslims stay up all night, partying, drinking and gorging themselves on food and then sleep all day, during the times of "fasting".
  
  DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
  
  Ideally, Ramadan is the month where Muslims should not only abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn to dusk, but also practice self-discipline, sacrifice, patience and sympathy for those less fortunate.
  
  Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars (duties) of Islam and is believed to be the month during which the Muslim Holy book known as the Qur'an was revealed. It is defined as the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar.
  
  In reality, things are not that perfect. Ramadan banquets mean people eat more food in this month than any other. The youth in some countries turn to drugs when alcohol is banned from restaurants. And people spend copious amounts of time watching special TV sitcoms and soaps.
  Ramadan changes almost every aspect of a Muslim's life, especially in the Arab world. Work hours are shorter in both public and private sectors. Mosques are packed, especially during the evening prayers that are followed by tarawih (prayers peculiar to the month of Ramadan).
  Source: www.alarabiya.net/articles/2007/09/23/39477.html
4. 9/01/08
  
  Enlight
  
  The best way to experience how an area practices their religion is to visit and spend some time observing and learning.
  
  It is always different in person.
5. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  globalgirl-
  
  Remember that Catholicism is the single largest denomination of Christianity, with some of the longest standing traditions, so to the non-Christian world, it's often seen as the most representative form of Christianity.
6. 9/01/08
  
  globalgirl
  
  I have been involved with non-denominational and denominational Christian churches for 20+ years and have never practiced lent.
  
  Fasting, of course, but not lent.
7. 9/01/08
  
  globalgirl
  
  Actually, Pentecostals are the fastest growing Christian denomination. I guess it depends upon where one is getting their statistics.
  
  Pentecostalism and related charismatic movements represent one of the fastest-growing segments of global Christianity.
  According to Pew: pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=140
8. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  I wasn't talking about "fastest growing" denomination or your personal denominational history, GlobalGirl.
  
  I was speaking strictly in terms of "the largest denomination" and "longest history." Which means that to the non-Christian world, Roman Catholicism is simply going to taken as the most representative form of Christianity-- so a simple mistake of thinking of a Catholic holiday as "Christian" is understandable.
  
  This isn't a slight against any of the Orthodox or Protestant branches of Christianity on my part or anyone's part-- it's just that on a global level, Catholicism is going to be seen as the main branch of Christianity, much as most non-Muslims will see Sunni as main branch of Islam (simply because there are more Sunni than Shia.)
9. 9/01/08
  
  Enlight
  
  Interesting my little comment about Lent and, wow, look at the different ideas.
  
  Interesting world of, conflicts, ideas, opinions thats for sure.
  
  Four things that create a conflict with people in this world: religion, sex, money and food.
10. 9/01/08
  
  irtiza104
  
  it's really not the way to behave on ramadan. they should undrstand.
9/01/08

Nomadic

@global girl - thanks for the links and info. Sure we can find someone other than Bush to quote on Ramadan though! I'll have a dig for something wise and inspiring.

@enlight - I disagree as a serial (not cereal) faster - patience and humility are something I have found to be gained from fasting. Ramadan can be likened to Lent, which can be likened to jewish Pesach (passover). Since they are all Abrahamic religions that refer to scripture that's not surprising.

And I don't think generalisations about Arabs are that useful.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Enlight
  
  I like Arab people a lot, I made many good friends through the nine months I traveled Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, but they themselves admit that they are not a patient people.
  
  Impatience is common around the world.
  
  There are benefits to fasting, though, whatever works for each person is great.
2. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  Nomadic-
  
  I don't understand how Lent can be likened to Pesach.
  
  Pesach is a holiday about survival and liberation from oppression while Lent is a holiday about penitence, which makes it more akin to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
3. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  You may be right about Pesach, I have very little experience of Lent. Just remembered having crackers (unlevened bread) for dinner and it felt as though I was fasting!
4. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  Funny. I've never been to a Pesach Seder that wasn't a feast, but levened bread and similar foodstuffs are not to be eaten during the festival, so for a week, one is on a very low carbohydrate diet. There's also the fact that one must get through the readings from the Haggadah before the meal-- and that might try the patience of some children.
5. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  I spent a couple of years on a Kibbutz in Israel and it wasn't exactly erm....religious - so maybe I got it wrong!
9/01/08

Chrislag

Well i have gain some great friends who Muslim over the years locally and
through the Internet.
They will won't see this at Blogcatalog but

I want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and peaceful Ramadan.

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  irtiza104
9/01/08

HelloAnnie

hey! @dragonlager, you miss me out. I see it.

thanks for the kind wishes.

[reply]
9/01/08

n21arie

Me too
kartu.kapanlagi.com/hari_raya_ramadhan.html

[reply]
9/01/08

clioandme

Here's a calendar at George Mason University that lists the religious holidays that affect various parts of its workforce: ulife.gmu.edu/pages/religiouscalendar0809.htm Holidays are listed for the following faith groups: Bahá'i Faith, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant Christian denominations, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Orthodox Christian

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  Cool link. Shame no Jain(e)s working at George Mason!
2. 9/01/08
  
  clioandme
  
  There might be an even more diverse workforce. I'm guessing that this is only what personnel knew about. I'm not even sure if they collect data on faith. I certainly don't remember having to check anything off. Indeed, I might have been offended by any such query, given the political culture of this country and the separation of church and state. (The university is a state institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia.)
3. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all celebrate the festival of Diwali though for not necessarily for the same reasons.
4. 9/01/08
  
  alexmcone
  
  I'm a Hindu and I dont know what Diwali is for. Seriously.
  
  All I know is that there are a lot of fireworks on that day. Oh and the sweets too. Yum!
5. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  I'm not a Hindu, but I'm a student of kathak dance, so I have learnt a lot about the religion. For Hindus, Diwali celebrates two major events, the first being Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and the second for Krishna's lifting Govardhan hill on his little finger to give shelter to the people and cattle being threatened by Indra's storms and flooding-- this story is part of the repertoire of my dance school.
  
  I'm certain that there are other reasons, but that's what I've learned from my friends.
6. 9/01/08
  
  IanThal
  
  And yes, Alex, the sweets are delicious. I especially love kalakand.
7. 9/01/08
  
  alexmcone
  
  Ah thanks ! I've always been wary of asking my friends.
8. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  It's cool Mark, I had my tongue in my cheek anyway!
9/01/08

IbneAdam

Ramadhan Mubarak

may there be peace for everybody all year around.

letusgrow.blogspot.com/

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  @Ibne - I had to laugh when I read your blog about weight loss on your "let us grow" blog, linked from this discussion about fasting! Interesting article however - thanks!
9/01/08

braincatcher

In a muslim country, the working hours is shortened to 6 hours. So generally this is nice. I have more time to blog. Ramadan Mubarak to all.

[reply]
9/01/08

flamingpoodle

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  You old hippy, poodle. Beats the Bush quote, however!
2. 9/01/08
  
  carlgalloway
  
  Thumbs up to that!!
3. 9/11/08
  
  timethief
  
  Thumbs up for John Lennon's Imagine.
  Love and peace to all.
9/01/08

alexmcone

I have fond memories of breaking fast with my best friend outside a Shia mosque in Abu Dhabi. The biryani was delicious.

[reply]
9/01/08

irtiza104

i am planning to pray all the TARABI salats. wish to fast properly. happy ramadan. pray for me. and the world. salam.

[reply]
9/01/08

aningeniousname

Ramadan Mubarak is the president of Egypt isn't he?

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  alexmcone
  
  No that would be Hosani Mubarak.
  
  Or is it ?
2. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  No, Hosani Mubarak is a Muslim festival.
9/01/08

dosox

What is the meaning of "Ramadan" actually

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  sayzlim
  
  Full Moon... I think...
2. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  @ dosox - From my good friend Mr W Pedia:
  
  The name "Ramadan" is the name of the ninth month; the word itself derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground, and shortness of rations. It is considered the most venerated and blessed month of the Islamic year. Prayers, sawm (fasting), charity, and self-accountability are especially stressed at this time; religious observances associated with Ramadan are kept throughout the month.
9/01/08

gosmelltheflowers

Hi from Dubai - Happy Ramadam to all!

We arent muslim but respect this month....

Cheers.

[reply]
9/01/08

aminhers

Happy ramadhan
and success

[reply]
9/01/08

Houseonahill

@nomadic,
what is the proper greeting for this holiday? eitherway, "Happy Ramadan Mubarak"!!!

Inshallah, I am hoping to educate myself soon!!!!

Best to all of our Muslim brothers and sisters!

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  alexmcone
  
  Yeah I'm a bit confused about that too. Isnt it supposed to be "Ramadan Kareem" ?
2. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  رمضان مبارك
3. 9/01/08
  
  alexmcone
  
  Its just that I've heard people wishing each other Ramadan Kareem.
4. 9/01/08
  
  aningeniousname
  
  I believe the correct greeting is ramadan a dingdong.
9/01/08

Nomadic

By the way guys - I am not BC's Islamic expert - just wishing everyone a happy Ramadan and asking what it means to you, if anything!

I can tell you what it means to me, but I can't tell you what it means to everyone.

[reply]
9/01/08

Houseonahill

I think for me and alexmcone, we just want to make sure we're wishing with the proper greetings~

For me, I just want to respect everyone and spread some love!

[reply]
1. 9/01/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  Spread the love (man)!
9/01/08

Theresa111

I pray that this time of prayer, fasting and quiet reflection will be spread over the Earth. I pray for world peace and joy for us all. May Ramadan be filled with lasting tranquility.

[reply]
1. 9/02/08
  
  Nomadic
  
  Here here. Praying may not quite be enough for me - but I am with you all the way Theresa!
9/03/08

Onchong

Ramadan is a month-long fast, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by our Muslims brothers and sisters around the world. It is observed during the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. It is by nature a time of sacrifice.

It is very important among non-Muslims working in GCC and other Arab countries to understand and above all respect the laws and equally important, the local customs.

Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is the fourth of the five important pillars of faith, and it begins and ends at the sighting of the new moon. Muslims observe self control, complete abstinence from food and drink during daylight hours, i.e., from sunrise to sunset. Non-Muslims must show courtesy and respect by not eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours. This applies to all public places, including when driving car or riding in any conveyances. All non-fasting must make a special effort to show consideration for their fasting colleagues.

Our Muslims brothers and sisters believe that the Holy Month of Ramadan is filled with blessings, and it is appropriate to wish them well at the beginning of the month. While friendly words in any language are welcome, there are some traditional or Arabic greetings that one may use, such as:

"RAMADAN KAREEM!" ("Noble or generous Ramadan!")
"RAMADAN MUBARAK!" ("A blessed Ramadan!")
"KUL'AM WA ENTA BI-KHAIR!" ("May every year find you in good health!")
"YUBARAK FEEK!" ("May Allah bless it for you also!")

At the end of the month, Muslims observe a holiday called, "EID AL FITR!" the festival of fast-breaking).

[reply]
1. 9/11/08
  
  timethief
  
  @onchong
  Thanks you so much for sharing that with us. I truly appreciated it.
  RAMADAN MUBARAK!
9/03/08

Nomadic

You are ace Onchong - many thanks. Sometime this month I will dedicate a posting to Ramadan - in the meantime I am on the lookout for an invite to Edi Al Fitr....not so many around here.

[reply]
9/04/08

nursarahlam

Well, this month is definitely a month for reflection.

[reply]
9/10/08

Nomadic

OK - so I sort of posted on this.

Shamelessly:
nomadic-wisdom.blogspot.com/2008/09/reverend-nomadic-discusses-ramadan.html

[reply]
1. 9/11/08
  
  timethief
  
  I loved your post.
9/11/08

saiffarooqi

i'm a Muslim, but i'm not a very religious person ... i know the month of Ramadan helps in many ways, like it helps in developing self-control and delay of gratification and helps in realizing the significance of things like food and water, which we usually take for granted ...
despite not being very religious, i do fast throughout the month, every year ... but my main motive is to satisfy my parents as they are religious people and may not like it if i dont fast ...

[reply]
9/13/08

Nomadic

Thank you all for leaving such wonderful, and interesting comments on my blog. Cool!

[reply]
9/04/09

noodlemie

ramadhan mubarak for you,for us..may God always showers us with great blessings...

[reply]
1. 9/06/09
  
  Nomadic
  
  This was Ramadan last year! But nevertheless, a good thought noodlemie. My Ramadan posting is here for thoe interested this year nomadic-wisdom.blogspot.com/2009/09/contemplating-loss-at-ramadan.html
9/06/09

aslam9895

Ramadan is the month in which the Glorious Quran was revealed to the entire humanity through the last messenger of God Prophet Mohammed(may peace be upon him). Quran spreads the teaching of Love, Peace, Humanity, Kindness.

But it is sad to know that, The followers of this peaceful religion is being targetted and called extremist and fundamentalist.

I am Muslim and I tell you, I am extremist and fundamentalist.

Extremist because, I am extremely kind, extremely mercifull, extremely lovable to mankind and I am Extremely Peaceful, and These extremities is what Quran has taught me. And Iam a fundamentalist because I follow the fundamentals of islam to be a true muslim, Just like a doctor who follows the fundamentals of Medicine to be a true doctor.

Islam is the most misunderstood religion by the western countries, for all those who dont know Islam, Please please please, do not judge Islam from the deeds of it's followers as there are black sheps in all religions. If you want to know Islam, read the Glorious quran from a trusted source. Trusted source because, there are many sources around internet with fake meanings of quran just to kill Islam.

May god bless everyone

[reply]
9/07/09

Nomadic

@aslam have you watched Living with the Infidels on Youtube?

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