Well, it is Lent for us….but for Muslims in our diocese it's Ramadan
Rev'd David Gifford is Interfaith Advisor for the diocese; here he explains some of the traditions of Ramadan, practised by the second-largest faith group in our diocese.
Around the world observant Christians will be making preparation for Lent, starting with Shrove Tuesday and then Ash Wednesday. Food . . . then penance and discipline. (Hmm!! most Christians, I imagine are a tad reluctant to take on the penance and discipline bit! But pancake day? Well that’s a different matter!). It’s funny though how these come together.
But Lent is supposed to be a period of preparation for Holy Week and Easter; a period of holiness. The traditional greeting of the priest at the First Communion of Lent or after the “ash-ing” liturgy on Ash Wednesday is “I wish you a Holy Lent.”
But holiness at this time is also observed by our Muslim Neighbours; (Muslims make up the largest faith group in our diocese after Christianity). It is the Holy season of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It began on February 28th and will end March 30th. It is truly a season of discipline from which Christians can learn much. From dawn to dusk the Muslim will fast from food and drink. The very old and children, the sick and pregnant women are excluded this discipline of course.
This means that the family members observing the fast will arise before dawn to have a large breakfast to see them through the day. When sundown happens then the fast will be broken and this is called the Iftar. People are ready to eat and drink – either at home or together in the mosque. Remember there will be no alcohol, for that is forbidden in Islam. The foods that are eaten will be dates, fruit, soup and rice dishes and maybe some lean meat.
Ramadan is a holy season for our Muslim friends and neighbours and that means reading and hearing the whole of the Holy Qu’ran throughout the month at the mosque – but some families will read it at home as well. Zakat will also be important – all Muslims are expected to do this; it is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and it means doing acts of charity. Many Muslims will go daily to their mosque day for prayers and to hear the Holy Qu’ran read by their Imam.
The end of Ramadan, is marked by a joyous and special festival called Eid al-Fitr, which means “the festival of the breaking of the fast”, when the mosques will be full as people attend for Eid prayers.
So let us remember this holy season of Lent it is also a holy season for Muslims in our diocese. Do greet them saying, “Ramadan Mubarak” or say in English “May Allah shed light on your journey and strengthen your faith this holy month.”
Remember too your Muslim neighbours in your church intercessions through March.
- ENDS -