11-08-2010 Ramadhan Kareem

In the last few years I have come to appreciate the Islamic religion.  It has always existed somewhere in my intellectual mind but it never had a face.  Since 9/11 this, now #1 religion in the world, has become a focal point for many.  It could be in a form of hatred, anger, politics or more often, a way of life.

I have come to learn more and more about Islam because of the people I have come to know.  People I have come to love.  As a Catholic, Islam has close roots with me.  Islam, Catholicism and Judaism share the same Holy Book.  We have the same prophets, archangels, traditions observed-all but the language.  Islam has retained their religious learning and practice in the original Aramaic language.

The followers of Islam are no different from those of the Catholics or Jews-they practice as we all do.  That there are fanatics, yes.  All religions have them.  Do politics become involved, yes.  Look to the Middle East and you see it in the very air that they breathe.  It is a way of life for many.

August 11, 2010 marks the beginning of the 30-day period known as Ramadan.  Ramadhan  is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset. Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic:  Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year depending on the moon. Muslims believe Ramadan to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

I think that we can learn many things from one another.  If part of our belief is in a God, we should take note.  Ramadhan is a beautiful time of year for Islam.