Happy Ramadan/Happy Eid
With only a few days left in Ramadan, I wanted to give you an idea of what Ramadan is and why we observe the month. Ramadan is the 9th month and most sacred in the Islamic lunar calendar. Lunar months last between 29 to 30 days, depending on when the new moon is sighted. If the moon is not seen on the night of the 29th day, then Ramadan lasts for the full 30 days. Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset for up to 30 days. The young, elderly, sick, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding are excused from fasting during this month. My family and I start the fast daily by waking up before daylight to have a light meal called Suhoor.
This month is special as we use this time to reconnect and reflect spiritually. Alongside not eating food during daylight hours, we also cannot drink anything – yes, not even water. Ramadan is also a time for community and family. This is always a great time to build communities. During this month we gather with family and friends for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the fast, and for taraweeh, the special night prayers that are performed each night at a local mosque.
Fasting is important because it gives self-restraint and self-reflection, improves health by reducing and eliminating impurities from the body, cleanses the soul, and have empathy for those in the world who are less fortunate than us. It’s also the most exciting time of the year for me, as I love celebrating Ramadan with my family. As tough as Ramadan has been for me this year, it’s also been the most special. My son is now old enough to understand that’s it’s a special time for us and we also enjoy doing different activities at home together.
We are now at the end of the month of fasting, and to mark the end of this rewarding month. We celebrate with a major festival called Eid! It’s a great opportunity to see friends and family and to exchange lots of gifts. We decorate our homes and have a big celebration. On the day of Eid, my family and I will go to the mosque for the morning Eid prayer. We wear new cultural clothes/ our best clothes as we are now the best versions of ourselves. We mark the occasion by saying – ‘Eid Mubarak’. ‘Eid’ means ‘Celebration’ and ‘Mubarak’ means Blessed – so you’re blessing someone’s celebration!
We find out at sunset on Thursday this week if we will be celebrating Eid on Friday or Saturday.
Ramadan has and will always be an exciting and uplifting time for me to reconnect with my faith and feel gratitude for all that I have.
If you see someone celebrating Eid over the next few days, do smile and say, Eid Mubarak! I promise, they will be so happy that you greeted them with this phrase.
~Carmen
