The wait is finally over! The blessed month of Ramadan is amongst us. The month where billions of Muslims all over the world will be abstaining from food, water, fights, sex and any physical activity of that sort. Ramadan brings many Muslims contentment. There are Muslims who fast by day and by night go out and donate food and their time. Ramadan is the only time you will experience catastrophe for eating food. The only time you will see me be intentionally nice to my younger sister. Ramadan is the only time I will not give the racist guy in Walmart who keeps following me and telling me to go back to my a country a piece of my mind. This month is the only time where my family and I sit together to eat iftar (breaking of the fast). It is a joyous month where my mother cooks up the best food known to humankind, and my dad cracks his not so funny jokes.
Muslims all over the world have taken to social media, wishing every other Muslim person a Ramadan Mubarak. There are newly matured people who are fasting for the very first time and there are people who are fasting their last Ramadan. I must make clear that Ramadan is more than just the surface level fasting that everyone is aware of. It is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God in a busy world, and practice self-discipline and sacrifice.
The physical effects felt by me and many other Muslims are a reminder of those who suffer throughout the year--those who are poor, homeless, refugees and cannot meet their basic needs. It reminds Muslims around the world to not be wasteful and to feel empathy for those who face hunger on a daily basis. It is one thing to imagine what it is that the hungry go through, but it is another thing to live it for a month. Ramadan to me and many Muslims is more than just physical, but rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirt of the fast. It is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and refocus one's self on the worship of God and the charity to humankind.
There is so much I can say about Ramadan, but there isn't enough room or time in the world. If you have questions about Ramadan or want to part take in Ramadan ask any Muslim you'll be happy to know they'll be willing and extremely helpful. Also, feel free to ask me to bring you food made during Ramadan. The food is absolutely fantastic and I'd love to share!
