We are continuing to look at different religious festivals. In past issues we have covered Divali, Christmas and Pesach and this time we feature Ramadan.

Ramadan (pronounced "rom-a-don")
is the holiest period in the Islamic year. It commemorates the month in the year 610 CE when revelations began from God, via the angel Gabriel, to the Prophet Muhammad. These revelations were memorized by Muhammad and were later written down as the Qur'an.

During this month, almost all Muslims over the age of 12 are expected to "abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures" from the first light of dawn until sunset. Muslims may opt-out of observing Ramadan for health reasons.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

The first day of fasting for Ramadan 2004 is expected to be October 16th (according to the Islamic Society of North America), though the dates may be delayed by one day or more, since they are based on sightings of the crescent moon without benefit of optical aids.

Because Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar, it is observed about eleven days earlier each year. The base of the Islamic calendar is 622 CE, the year of the Hegira, when the Prophet Muhammad travelled from Mecca to Medina in what is now Saudi Arabia.

The purposes, discipline, and activities of Ramadan:
"The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the 'five pillars' of Islam.".

Muslims may also engage in a number of activities during Ramadan:

• Some read the entire Qur'an.
• The saying of Taraweeh prayers every evening.
• A period of retreat (perhaps staying in a mosque for a number of days).

How you might be able to help during Ramadan:

• Special consideration could be given to such things as requests for a ‘holiday’ period from childminding or parents may need you to be more flexible with regard to morning drop-off or evening collection schedules.
• Be really understanding and supportive of any minded child engaging in the fasting, many of us get a bit irritable if we are hungry and minded children who are fasting may be no different.
• It is also very important that Muslims be given time to attend Eid prayers at the end of Ramadan. Eid is as important to Muslims as Christmas and Yom Kippur are to Christians and Jews.
• A small token such as an Eid card (available from Muslim bookstores, or the Internet) or baked goods given to a Muslim parent or friend during Eid ul-Fitr would also be greatly appreciated.