During the month of August I have been very conscious that I have been under the moon of Ramadhan. I have heard many of the volunteers speak of their admiration for our workers and their families who are participating in the ritual fast and almsgiving of this time of the year that is so special to them.
Mudi explained to me that the word Ramadhan comes from the Arabic 'Ramadhani' which means to fix. Ramadhan is a holy month in which the people, in the way of the great mystics, fast and give to those less fortunate, so that the sins not already forgiven through daily prayer are resolved.
Ramadhan is a holy month of love and peace. The people believe that after Ramadhan they can achieve the innocence of a small child.
Children do not have to fast. They learn the importance of the month by watching and listening to their parents. When a child is of an appropriate age they might want to fast for a short time during the day. The parents congratulate and encourage them to enter into the spirit of the holy month.
After Ramadhan is the celebration of Idd Mubaraka when everyone dresses in their good clothes and cook food and invite people to come and eat with them. It is a celebration of the equality of all people so orphans, neighbours and homeless people are welcomed to eat with the family and a gift of rice is given according to each families capacity to give.
To Mudi personally the time of fasting teaches him what it is like not to have food and it inspires him to want to give to others. He feels at one with and connected to people in a special way and through his prayer and fasting he tries to become a better person and to relate more truly to others.
Posted by Helen Campbell
Education Manager
No comments:
Post a Comment