Here are a few tips for those who aren’t Muslim on what Ramadan is and how to treat their fasting friends
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is upon us once again. As Muslims enter Week 3 of our yearly “Hunger Games” here are a few tips for our non-Muslim friends, neighbors, colleagues, and interested onlookers.
So what’s up with this Ra-ma-dan thingy? How long does it last?
Ritual fasting is common among many religions, and Ramadan has been observed by Muslims for over 1,500 years. The month of Ramadan is 29 or 30 days long. This year it started on June 6, and will end on July 5, depending on the moon. Like many faiths, Muslims follow a lunar calendar, which is 11 days shorter than the regular calendar. When I was in high school, Ramadan was in the winter. And now that I’m older, crankier, and have less impulse-control, it falls during the longest, hottest days of the year. Not that I’m complaining much.
How long is a fasting day?
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. In June, that’s almost 18 hours. Without food or water.
Not even water?
Yup.
So how do you get out of it?
Fasting is not for everyone. Children, the elderly, the sick, travellers, people who have medical conditions, pregnant and nursing women — they are all exempt.
But everyone hates it, right?
Actually, Ramadan is a special time of year. Families make an extra effort to eat the early morning meal (called Suhoor) and evening meal (called Iftar) together. People attend mosques and hang out afterwards with friends. Mosques and community centers feed hundreds every night. There is a lot of emphasis on charity and outreach, like Open Doors Ramadan.
Will it bother my fasting friend if I eat in front of them?
When I was in Grade 7, my classmates thought it would be hilarious to wave their French fries in my fasting face during lunch time.
“Aren’t you hungry?” they asked. “Don’t you want to eat soooooome?”
I played along, but there was never any danger of crumbling.
It’s hard to describe this feeling, because it really only manifests during Ramadan, and disappears the moment the month ends. For the rest of the year, if I skip a meal or even my regular dose of caffeine, I’m a harridan. But during this month I sort of, just, get over being hungry.
Bottom line: It’s polite to ask, but eating in front of your fasting friend won’t bother them. Ultimately, the choice to fast is personal. After all, they can eat any time they want, they’re just choosing not to. So enjoy your instant noodles without a side-order of guilt.
But seriously. NOT EVEN WATER?
Yup.
At least you lose weight, right?
Yeah, right. Not in my experience. This might have something to do with the late night eating, lack of sleep, increased socializing, and the deep-fried treats at the family dinner table. Midnight runs to Tim Hortons don’t help, either.
So why do you fast in the first place?
I can’t speak for an entire religion, but for me fasting is about self reflection, gratitude, and experiencing deprivation. Maybe it’s the delirium of starvation, but I feel lighter and more peaceful during Ramadan.
Any tips on what I should or should not say?
Happy Ramadan, Ramadan Kareem, or Ramadan Mubarak, are all nice greetings. Try to avoid: “I could never do that!” or “Aren’t you hungry?” For the fasting person, it’s all about intention and choice.
What can I expect from employees, students, colleagues?
Teachers — your fasting students may appear more tired or quiet, but are still capable of writing tests and handing in assignments. However, they may be very busy in the evenings attending prayers, social functions, and eating!
Some employees might request flex time — arriving early or later, and working through lunch. Many of them are getting up between 3 and 4 a.m. for their morning meal.
Finally, as in all religious traditions, there is a large variation in the way individual Muslims approach practices like Ramadan.
End.
source : hawzahnews
