Ramadan

Binta Diallo

September 27/2010

 ESL level 100

Ramadan

            The month of Ramadan is a very important month for all Muslims, because it is a holy period of the year. Every year the calendar month changes for the celebration. This year Ramadan was celebrated in August and next year it will be in July. Some countries celebrate Ramadan with a fast all month, and others celebrate by fasting only part of the month. I’m a Muslim and I celebrated Ramadan. During this month, Muslims, try to purify their souls from all negative acts. We focus on what is holy or pure. During this fasting we ask Allah to forgive us for our sins. Although there are several cultural reasons for each individual to practice Ramadan, there are three social spiritual reasons that are shared among all Muslims.

The first spiritual reason is our devotion to Allah. During the month of Ramadan, they sacrifice most of our pleasurable activities such as listening to music, dancing and even remain distanced from our boyfriends. In the United States it is more difficult to remain distant from our boyfriend because most of us live with them.  In Guinea, we faithfully, read the Qur'an, and prayed at home or we go to the Mosque. But in United States we cannot read the Qur’an at home without being interrupted by someone. For example the place you can read the Qur’an is at the Mosques in Chicago.   As a result, Ramadan has physical, mental and social benefits. Due to the fasting that we perform daily for the thirty days, one can easily lose weight and perhaps get down to or near the desired size. Also, because we must perform the last prayer of the day (Isha’a) at the mosque, we are able to meet with fellow Muslims and enjoy the company of one another. Although these are basic rules that must be followed by all Muslims, certain people in Chicago fail to adhere to these demands.

Another part of holiday that has change in this country is the activities during Ramadan.  There are a lot of activities to do during the month of Ramadan; in some cases it is hard to find the way to practice Ramadan in Chicago. It more challenging for me in here. Because I have of get up early for school. Likewise in Guinea, it is very important practice Ramadan because it is only holy month during a year and our mind is just focused on Ramadan. We plan to visit your relatives, or neighbors and family that you did not see for some time. Allah will bless the person. However, in Chicago it is very difficult to give anybody food because there is not much trust between us has Muslims. Since I came to Chicago I have found very few people who really practice Islam. In   Chicago there a lot people who don’t follow what Allah says including me. The Ramadan fast is for about 29 to 30 days. It is said that during the last ten days of Ramadan, all Muslim people should attend the Tarawith prayer at the Mosque. We just don’t go to the Mosque, because we just don’t want to stay at the mosque all night.  In Muslim countries, they sleep for the last ten days of prayer and ask for blessings from Allah.

The final shared reason is the variety of food during Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, Muslim families are supposed to cook extra meals for their family, neighbors and relatives to come and eat together. In my experience in Guinea of Ramadan compare to the U.S.A, it is very different and I find it difficult because I do not plan it in advance. Such has important event we need to plan how to get all the necessities for this holy month. Also, in the USA, we break fasts at home instead going to the Mosque with our family. And many people do not attend the mosque regularly in the United States. Therefore, the interaction between Muslim brothers and sisters is limited even during Ramadan. However, in Guinea, we have a very nice atmosphere. And the mood is very different. In Guinea, the entire village gets to together every day for the whole month of Ramadan to break the fast and eat after the prayer. Before the day of Eid, or during the last few days of Ramadan each Muslim family give a donation to the poor. Finally, the day of Eid all the Muslim gather early at the mosque for the prayer and gives gift to the children. In United States, the day of Eid Muslim people don’t exchange gift at the mosque.

In conclusion although there are several cultural reasons for each individual to practice Ramadan, there are three social spiritual reasons that are shared among all Muslims. In my experiences Ramadan fasting for me is not just about disciplining my body to restrain from food and drinking water from predawn until the sunset. It means following what Allah said and asking forgiveness and blessing from Allah. I hope in the future that all my Muslim brothers and sister will gather together.