I'm Not a Muslim - What Could Ramadan Mean to Me?
I was interested to see a recent WA blogpost by MohdAnwar on the imminent approach of Ramadan.
I don't subscribe to any religion but I live in Australia where many people celebrate Christmas. When shopping in December, it is common for store personnel to say 'Merry Christmas' and even though I don't celebrate it, I say it in return. Why? To be polite and acknowledge the feelings of general goodwill, peace and joy floating around at that time of the year and reflect it back at the well wisher. I wish those things to them too. I also understand the 'backstory' behind Christmas and I acknowledge that the message of a holy child,a Jewish refugee miraculously born in Bethlehem during troubling times, is a strong symbol of hope?and love for many.
But what about Ramadan? I live in a great multicultural society and I am kind of embarrassed to admit that I know very little about Ramadan. I think that sometimes, just referring to it brings out anti-Islamic sentiment from people who know as little as I do. But what if we just found out a little bit more about it?
I know Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and that it was the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed. I believe that the month's worth of fasting expected of Muslims during Ramadan is to help direct one's attention away from worldly activities and towards more spiritual pursuits. I understand that many Muslims increase their charitable contributions at this time of year as they become more attuned to the hardships of those less fortunate.
These goals sound lofty - as lofty as the hopes for joy, peace and goodwill to all that people share so freely at Christmas. Wouldn't it be nice if we had 2 months of the year where people felt the love, no matter its inspiration.
Anyway, I'd be very happy to hear the views of Muslims - both practising and unpractising - on what Ramadan means to you. It would be nice if I could walk into some of the great businesses in our area that I know are run by Muslim people and greet them with a few words that show I understand and respect where they're at. That I see them and that their devotion to Islam as something I support - much like I say 'Merry Christmas' shows I support Christian people's devotion to the Christian ideals they espouse and that I share.
Even though I'm not a Christian or a Muslim, we still have common human values that stretch towards being better people, willing to extend a helping hand to others and open to sending positive messages to all people.
Recent Comments
10
This is a beautiful article on a subject I know little about. I think the main premise for me is understanding and respect for all cultures so that we can truly live in an idealic world where we all come together as one!
Hi
You have a good understanding of what Ramadan is and I am intrigued by you learning more about it.
Ramadan for me is a way to get closer to God, spend more time reading the Qur'an and implement more of the teachings of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Additionally, Ramadan teaches you tolerance, patience andsacrifice.
Also, we fast from pre-dawn up to sunset - this also makes us appreciate what we have as millions of people especially those in third world countries do not have food and water on a daily basis.
This is what Ramadan means to me. (btw am from South Africa)
Regards
Hi Uwais
Thank you so much for sharing what Ramadan means to you. And also for sharing that you're from South Africa. What lovely values you reflect on during this period. Tolerance, patience and sacrifice are cardinal virtues that help us build a better world. I like the fact that I am learning more about what this period means to the adherents of Islam's many branches. I appreciate your feedback and will always welcome more knowledge to build understanding. It moves our shared planet towards peace.
In case you wanted to know why else I am keen to learn and understand more:
I am completing my opera on the making of modern Australia - with people from over 200 countries living here, we're a very multicultural nation, though not without our share of friction which include the grievous injuries done to our First Peoples. Within my opera, I am currently researching my final storyline (there are 8 storylines) in which a couple of Muslim characters who emigrate from different countries appear. It is very important to me that they speak and act authentically. And I know that I can't write what those characters need to sing and how they need to act unless I have an open heart and mind towards the real lived experience of Muslim people I meet so that I bring that knowledge and feeling to the writing.
Kind Regards,
Lisa
Hey Lisa...Actually I think you already got much of what Ramadhan is all about. The best you can do if you want to interact with Muslims near you is to find out first politely if they are adhering to Ramadhan practices like fasting...that in itself could be a talking point. But above all you can just wish them a blessed Ramadhan. Btw i agree that having a time every year to gear down our worldy persuits does have a balancing effect. Thanks for writing the post. I wish you the best for your kind thoughts and words...:)
Hi Razli - Thanks so much for your comment. Definitely agree with finding out whether people are adhering to the faith before jumping in with well wishes or salutations. Just hoping to find out more and open it up for discussion. I suspect that Ramadan/Ramadhan is as ingrained a cultural practice as is Christmas. Just like I can wish people 'Merry Christmas' without being a practising Christian because it is a positive and bright 'spirit' that infuses my local community in and around December, I would like to understand how non-practising Muslims see this time of the year and how it has shaped their worldview. As people in Western cultures become less and less identified with a particular religion, I'd be interested to know whether and how the same phenomenon is playing out in countries with large Muslim communities.
Ok maybe I can give you some insight. The proper greeting in Arabic is "Ramadhan Mubarak" meaning "Blessed Ramadhan (to you)". But Ramadhan is very much about devotion and adhering to Islamic practices which is mostly about prayer and fasting and contemplation...basically focus on God, religion and fellow human beings..that is how you celebrate...it is also when we spend more time with family, because we usually break our fast together.
But for non practicing Muslims the feeling they feel most is usually ...of guilt. lol.
At the end of Ramadhan is a day celebration which is called Eidul Fitr. This is the day of celebration for the whole month of devotion. On this day...everybody celebrates...practicing and non practising...that would be a safer bet for you...to wish them and join the celebrations even....
Hey Razli - Heard much about guilt from lapsed Catholics too! We're not all so different, the world over! Thanks so much for your insights. Very much appreciated. Cheers, Lisa
See more comments
Hi Lisa, I came across your amazing article. It's really nice to know that you want to gain knowledge about something before forming an opinion or saying anything, which unfortunately nowadays is common with people who know very little about a religion but have an opinion about it.
Ramadan is a very blessed month for practising muslims.
We Fast for just over 18 hours, from 2 hrs pre dawn to sunset. During this time we don't eat or drink anything and engage in prayers more and less wordly activities. We learn to be more patient & tolerant and also feel gratitude for the blessings we have, developing an empathy towards the less fortunates and reach out to help them, and therefore giving charity to the less fortunates. At the end of the day we break our fast with specially prepared food with our family. And we mark the celebration at the end of the 30 days with Eid celebration with or family & friends.
The greetings for Ramadan in Arabic is 'Ramadan Mubarak', and for Eid is 'Eid Mubarak', both meaning have a blessed Ramadan/Eid.
God bless you.
Hey Kays - Thank you for sharing your insights. Mass media simplifies issues as well as conflates Islam with terrorism which has created a dreadful climate of fear. Its only by us all having conversations and sharing little droplets of our truth that we will permeate that fear and transform it into curiosity and hopefully - ultimately - into acceptance. Ramadan Mubarak to you, my friend. Regards, Lisa