Muslims prepare for fasting

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Written by Samira Ali Gutoc
Friday, 24 October 2003
"Tis the Season of Sacrifice" Tis' that time of the year. But there won't be fine dining . Instead the season will be marked by self-purification and soul-searching in a twelve-hour fasting per day. This significant event in the Muslim world and most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadhan, will be marked by the sighting of the full moon starting tomorrow Saturday. If sighted, religious leaders across the Muslim world, will announce the start of the fast, marked by a ritual of bathing or "rigo." The bathe is significant as it will signify one's intention of observing one of the most important pillars of Islam. In celebrating the season, some Muslim villages will be brightened with colorful lights and streamers, with greetings of Happy Ramadhan . This weekend, Muslim households will be busy shopping for groceries to store for the month. Mosques will be spruced up and sites of nightly congregational prayers called Taraweeh, that end until the wee hours of the morning. Houses will be scenes of family gatherings at nights after the 6pm prayer at the time of breaking of fast. Some homes and Islamic schools will be sites for Islamic seminars, teaching the virtues of Islam. Despite ulama calls for less extravagance in meals, it is a time for fiesta-like reunions during break of fast in the evening. Moro tribes cook the traditional yellow rice with spicy chicken or beef, cooked in the halal or Islamic way. The month is also a time for "spiritual overhaul" as Muslims are enjoined to do extra prayers, give extra charity (aside from the mandatory alms) and read the Holy Qur'an. Ramadhan is said to have been when the Holy Quran was revealed to the last prophet, Muhammad. For twelve hours in the day. Muslims must avoid food, water, and sexual relations. They are also forbidden from cursing, backbiting and lying. Adults, except the pregnant and the elderly are enjoined to fast. Children can fast if they can..Fasting starts from end of the suhoor or morning breakfast that ends at about 4 am and ends until the call of prayer during 6pm. The 6pm meals or "iftar" are special occasions for Metro Manila communities who converge in mosques for free cooked meals. Muslims continue their day-day activities despite the hunger. Civil service employees are not exempted from office work except those from the Office on Muslim Affairs who can leave office by 4pm to prepare for the evening meals. Despite this, some professionals welcome the "sacrifice." "It (fasting) is cleansing the soul," said Lekoy Macalondong of the Commission on Higher Education. Ramadhan in Muslim communities is also a time for Islamic-related activities. Some Muslims go on Umrah (journey) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. In Lanao del Sur, NGO workers with the Tabang Mindanaw continue their rehabilitation efforts for evacuee communities, reported Baicon Cayongcat. In Metro Manila's Maharlika Village, Taguig, some 50 children in the local Islamic school will celebrate the month through a drawing contest. Organized by the Young Moro Professionals, the winner's drawing will be the design for an Eidul Fitr season's card that will be sold in parts of Manila. Eidul Fitr holiday is the culmination of the Ramadhan month. Muslims in their native attire, clothed from head to toe, converge in major mosques for the 6 am prayers. In recognizing the Muslim holiday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo passed an executive order declaring Eidul Fitr to be a national holiday beginning 2002. Islam is the second major religion in the Philippines, after Christianity. Muslims are an estimated 10 million, comprising 13 ethno-linguistic tribes and converts. Set as favorite Bookmark Email This Hits: 250 Trackback(0) TrackBack URI for this entry Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Website Title Comment smaller \| bigger Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Write the displayed characters
Last Updated ( Monday, 30 June 2008 )