Muslims around the world observe the month by praying, listening to recitations of the Quran, practicing charity, and by not eating or drinking during daylight hours, which may seem difficult for Muslims in the Arizona desert.
Many who observe Ramadan begin preparing in advance. A few days before the
beginning of the month, Angelica Lindsey-Ali and her family were busy making
decorations and talking about the ways they planned to celebrate. She and her
kids sat around the table at her in-laws, unfolding big shiny stars and making
paper lanters.
"It’s like having Christmas and Thanksgiving and Easter and New Years all
rolled into one, but for 30 days," said Lindsey-Ali as she laughed.
If you don’t observe Ramadan, that might not be what you expect, since everyone
is fasting over long, hot days. It’s true that the fast isn’t always easy.
"It’s difficult, but if you go in it with the right intention it’s not as
hard as everybody makes it seem," said Lindsey-Ali. "It's not that
you’re depriving your body of food. I like to say that you’re making space in
your mind and your body for God."
This idea is central to understanding Ramadan. While non-Muslims may focus on
the difficulty of the fast, or the fact that not drinking water during a desert
summer is often ill-advised, many Muslims will quickly point out that the fast
is only one part of observing.
"It’s a time for complete peace," said Valley resident Azra Mahmood.
"It’s the religion. It’s the Holy Quran. It’s everything coming alive in
the people, in the motion."
Mahmood grew up Muslim, but connected most strongly with Ramadan during college
when she lived in Kentucky and she didn’t know many other Muslims nearby.
"I found Islam and Ramadan to be most engaging when I was in
solitude," said Mahmood. "When I actually was very alone and didn’t
have a community to fast or to break fast with or to enjoy all the rituals that
we do."
Mahmood said the act of fasting helped her connect with spirituality and her
identity as a Muslim. It is also how she began to find community. That came
first with non-Muslim friends in college who would fast in solidarity with her,
and eventually with other Muslims on campus.
At the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix (ICCP)
many people come to observe the holy month as part of the community. On the
first night after the fast, a few dozen people anxiously waited for the time to
eat as they sat around tables with cups of water and bowls of dates on them.
"We bought 30 cases yesterday, so there’s a lot. That’s 330 pounds,"
said Usama Shami, president of the ICCP. It is traditional to break the
fast with one, three, or five dates and some water. After that there are
prayers, followed by a complete meal, called iftar.
Rosie Bera is one of the women gathered in a small classroom to eat dinner
after fasting for at least 15 hours. Plates were filled with chicken, rice, and
salad, and even though she was very hungry, she didn't eat until she said hi to
everyone she knew in the room.
"I like to be close to my sisters, you know, to feel that
happiness," said Bera.
Bera converted to Islam just over a year ago. She grew up in Mexico, and is the
only one in her family that is Muslim. She said she was searching for something
deeper when she found the religion.
"When I [heard], 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar' I [started] crying,"
Bera said with tears in her eyes. "And I [understood] that that was God
calling me to Islam."
At the community center, she explaied that she is happy to fast because Ramadan
means so much to her.
"Ramadan is like I say — it’s like a refresh. You refresh your soul. You
refresh your spirit. It is something very, very beautiful. It’s amazing,"
said Bera.
Source: Kjzz