http://www.islamawareness.net/Ramadhan/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

US Muslims celebrate Ramadan with heavy hearts
by Mary Chapman Sun Sep 24, 2:20 PM ET

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060924/ts_afp/usislamramadan_060924164104

DEARBORN, United States (AFP) - During what should be
a joyous time of fellowship, worship and reflection,
many Muslims streamed into the Islamic Center of
America on the first night of Ramadan with heavy
hearts.

Sick of the suspicious glances, slurs and false
accusations of being terrorists, they feel like
second-class citizens in their own country.

"I feel comfortable at home but once I leave there,
and leave my community, I feel like I'm in a whole
different atmosphere right now," 18-year-old Zeinab
Zahreldin, a freshman at the University of
Michigan-Dearborn, told AFP late Saturday. "It's not
at all comfortable."

The Detroit area has around 200,000 Muslims and the
suburb of Dearborn has one of the highest
concentrations of Arab-Americans in the United States.
Businesses here post Arabic signs, most restaurants
serve Halal meat, and Arabs are prominent in local
politics.

But five years after the terrorist attacks of
September 11, it seems like a new reason for anxiety
and alienation comes every week. Most recently, it was
Pope Benedict XVI's remarks linking Islam to violence.

Before that was
President George W. Bush's use of the term
Islamofacists. And then there were the local college
students arrested as terrorists because they bought
pre-paid cell phones.

"I have to pray real hard when I come to Ramadan,
everything is so different now," said Ali Almuna, an
Iraqi immigrant who moved to the United States 11
years ago. "The way the people look at us and treat
us. There's a lot of discrimination. I've had bad
language used toward me, my wife and kids. One day
strangers called us terrorists. I didn't say anything,
I just thought that was so sad."

Almuna managed to bring his wife and children from
Iraq five years ago after working odd jobs and saving
up enough money to buy his own semi-truck. Now he
wants to go back to Iraq.

"The United States has made a lot of mistakes, so life
is hard in a lot of ways. They've made mistakes in
Iraq, and here too. A lot of people are out of jobs,
lost their businesses," he said.

"So as bad as it is back home -- it's miserable for my
family, no running water, no electricity -- but I'd
rather be around my family there, you know? But I
don't know about the kids. So, I came here two times
today, to pray for a better life for all of us."

And for good reason.

A recent Gallup poll showed that 39 percent of
Americans admit to being prejudiced against Muslims, a
third think Muslim Americans sympathize with Al Qaeda
and nearly a quarter say they would not want a Muslim
for a neighbor.

An upcoming study in the Journal of Human Resources
found that wages of Arab Americans and Muslims fell 10
percent in the years after the September 11, 2001
attacks.

And a study of the psychological health of Arab
Americans shows that half now suffer from clinical
depression, compared with an average of 20 percent for
the general population.

"I prepare the Ramadan meals for my family, we break
our fasts together but it's not like it used to be,"
said Zaranne Hakim of Dearborn. "We don't have as many
relatives over anymore. It seems like there's so much
going on now everywhere."

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are to abstain
from eating or drinking during daylight hours.

The remaining free time is to be devoted to prayer and
charity. At temples verses of the Qu'ran are recited
each night. By the end of Ramadan, the complete
scripture has been recited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fine food and festive mood as Damascus celebrates
Ramadan
(DPA)
26 September 2006

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/todaysfeatures/2006/Se\
ptember/todaysfeatures_September54.xml&section=todaysfeatures

Damascus - Damascus takes on a special atmosphere
during Ramadan as residents across the city adorn
their balconies with special lights and Islamic
symbols, and the smell of foods not sold at other
times of the years is wafting from the markets in the
city.

Syrians began fasting on Sunday, unlike other Muslim
countries where the fasting period began Saturday in
observance of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic
calendar. Muslims seek to abstain from eating,
drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn to
dusk.

However - paradoxically in this month of restrictions
- Syrian markets also witness unmatchable jams and
delicacies, and people line up at the shops that sell
the finest Damascene sweets.

“Our factory works 24 hours a day during Ramadan and
our shops work for 20 hours to meet the clients’
needs,” said Mohammed Nafissah, the head of a famous
sweet shop which has many branches in the capital.

Most popular with the customers during Ramadan is
Nahesh, a famous Damascene sweet made of dough and
cream, he says. “Our sales in Ramadan triple those of
the rest of the year,” he said.

The old Al-Bzourrya market, which is known for its
spices and dried fruits, has been packed with people
buying the specialities that are only on sale during
Ramadan, says Abdul-Latiff Bendkji, one of the
merchants.

“I am extremely delighted when Ramadan is coming,”
says Wafaa, Mohammad, 40, while shopping the market,
adding: “My family will gather around one table and
break fast at the same time.”

Five-star hotels have also started preparations, and
Damascene tents have been erected to create an old
Damascene atmosphere and the right surroundings for
the feasts that follow the daily fasts.

Another tradition among Syrians during Ramadan is to
go to coffee houses, smoke hubble-bubble - the water
pipe - and listen to the so- called Al-Hakawati, a
story teller.

The Al-Nofara Cafe, one of Syria’s oldest and most
famous, is usually filled with noisy chatter and music
during the long Ramadan nights.

And every evening after the Iftar, the fast-breaking
meal, Rashid Hallak, also known as Abu Shadi takes his
place on a tall chair in the cafe to begin his story,
holding a 100-strong audience captive as he tells of
Antara, a legendary black slave snubbed for his colour
but renowned for his courage, strength and chivalry.

During Ramadan, however, Abu Shadi says, he does not
spin out his stories quite as long as he believes the
audience could not bear to come daily to follow up on
the latest adventure of Antara.

For most Muslims, the foundation of Ramadan is a
spiritual experience; with some describing it as a
time for purifying the soul and taking the opportunity
to spend time with family and friends, to eat together
and pray together.

Muslims are required to pray five times a day
throughout the year, and during Ramadan these
obligations are followed more closely. Most Syrians,
including women, attend mosques for additional
prayers, the Tarawih.

In Syria, Ramadan tradition also demands that all
family members gather at the house of the oldest
relative on the first day of the month where they eat
the Iftar together.

The Iftar table will be coloured with all types of
Damascene foods especially juices and dates.

Although a fading tradition, the night ends with the
call of the ”Msaharati”, the public waker, who wakes
people for their “sohour” meal - the last food before
dawn when the fasting starts again.

Msaharati Amin Mozeh, who works as a civil servant at
Teshrin newspaper, says this is his favourite hobby.
Every year he longs for Ramadan to perform the task of
awaking people which he inherited from his grandfather
forty years ago, he tells Deutsche Presse-Agentur,
dpa.

The Msaharati usually leaves his house after midnight
and walks through the old quarters of Damascus
chanting “Oh sleepers, wake up and pray for God!”

Ramadan marks the time when the Muslim believe the
Koran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. The Koran
calls for self-restraint during this time to
experience hunger and thirst and feel the need of
other people.

Sheikh Salah Keftaro, who heads the Ahmed Keftaro
Foundation for Islamic Studies, says charity works
increase remarkably during Ramadan. Syrians “witness a
religious, social and humanitarian wedding,” he calls
it.

Following instructions by the ministry for religious
affairs, free Iftar meals are also offered for the
poor at the Omayyad Mosque. ”This gives us a feeling
that we are one family,” says the sheikh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Iftar Brings UK Students Closer
Amina Satour, IOL Correspondent
Sun., Sep. 24, 2006

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-09/24/06.shtml

LONDON — Everything about the holy fasting month of
Ramadan, which began …, has a unique meaning for
British Muslims, living under fear and constant
distress since last year's 7/7 bombing attacks.

Though iftar banquets are a typical Ramadan feature in
almost any place of the world where Muslims live,
including Britain itself, they hold an additional,
special importance for Muslim students in British
universities.

"It is a chance to meet new Muslim sisters especially
those who are new to Cambridge," Amira, a medical
student at Cambridge University and one of the first
volunteers to provide Ramadan meals for fellow female
Muslim students, told IslamOnline.net.

Every year, Muslim students at Cambridge University,
like colleagues in other universities, take turns in
providing meals for other students.

"The Muslim community in Britain is so diverse and
this includes the students who come from various
ethnic and cultural backgrounds," she noted.

"We share recipes and get acquainted with the
traditions of each other’s country of origin. After
iftar we all pray together and do things like
discussions or question and answer sessions
afterwards."

Amira sses the Islamic Society Mailing List to get the
invitation out to all the female students in the
university.

Based on how many replies she gets, she decided on how
much food would need to be prepared.

Most student societies in UK universities keep in
touch through a mailing list which keeps them updated
about the various events and activities taking place
on their campus.

The Islamic Cultural Centre in London has declared
Saturday, September 23, as the start of Ramadan based
on moon sightings in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Ruiyate Hilal committee representing mosques in
Balham, Croydon, Norbury, Streatham and Tooting, and
also ulama councils in other cities including
Birmingham and Manchester, have announced Sunday,
September 24, as the first day of fasting.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those
traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food,
drink, smoking and sex.

Britain is home to an estimated 1.8 million Muslims,
most of them are of Pakistani and Indian origin.

New Friends

Islamic student societies, established to provide an
attractive Islamic environment in which Muslims can
practice Islam, improve the understanding of Islam and
promote brotherhood and unity of all Muslims on
campus, organize special Ramadan programs.

"All year around the society organize talks, circles
for both men and women and educational and fun
activities for kids," said Mahmoud Hamid from
Manchester University Islamic Society.

"But as Ramadan approaches, the focus of those talks
changes to reflect the occasion."

The society which runs two on campus mosques
anticipates about 700 people daily to come for iftar,
which normally consists of a curry dish, salad and a
drink or a piece of fruit for each person.

"We essentially rely on donations collected throughout
the year," said Mahmoud.

Such initiatives fosters the links of brotherhood and
sisterhood amongst Muslim students, especially as they
celebrate the holy month away from their families
which usually either live in different UK cities or
even overseas.

"I really enjoy going to the mosque for iftar and
prayers especially when I am feeling," Mayyada, a
student originally from Egypt and specializing in
engineering, told IOL.

"Meeting other fellow Muslims really help to overcome
my feeling of homesickness," she said, spending her
fourth Ramadan away from her family.

"It is a good place to get to know people from your
university," agreed Ahmed, another student who comes
from Bradford.

"I have made many new friends during iftar.

"We are very grateful for the amazing work the Islamic
society does in Ramadan, since otherwise we would be
just eating takeaways in our rooms or have to go out
to expensive restaurants to eat."

Get-togethers

With volunteering activities flourishing during this
blessed month, other volunteers chose to organize
religious study circle and discussions.

Samira, 24, a university student of Pakistani origin
has volunteered to organize weekly circles in her
house for fellow female students and chose a time
whereby attendants break fast together.

"Sometimes the prayer room can get a little small when
there’s too many sisters and plus there are also many
sisters who cannot make it there," she said of the
reason for organizing the religious study circle in
her home.

"During Ramadan there are probably many circles and
get-togethers taking place which will be very
refreshing for all sisters."

Samira believes this will "foster unity amongst us
especially during this blessed month."

Many started the circles weeks ahead of Ramadan to
prepare themselves for the holy month.

A circle held last Wednesday dealt with, inter alia,
how students can juggle their worship while being busy
with their academic work.

"I was looking forward to this month", said Eman, 22,
who attended the circle.

She had started preparing for Ramadan a few weeks ago
by trying to be closer to Allah through extra prayers,
reading the Noble Qur'an and donating money to the
local mosque to help cover the costs community iftars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ramadan Tests Filipino Reverts Mettle
By Rexcel Sorza, IOL Correspondent
Tue., Sep. 26, 2006

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-09/26/01.shtml

MANILA — Among the millions of Muslims observing
Ramadan in this largely Christian nation are Balik
Islam - former Christians who have re-embraced Islam.

To many of them, the holy fasting month is a chance to
test their religious mettle, especially that the
fasting experience is completely different from
Christianity.

"To me Ramadan will try me and my faith," Judgith
Bade, a revert, told IslamOnlne.net.

"It is going to be tough but my faith, I firmly
believe, will not fail me. I will surely relish the
spiritual and even the health benefits of fasting."

Bade, who before is reversion was studying in a school
for Roman Catholics to become a priest, recognizes the
different fasting experience.

"I am not used to fasting. When I was a Catholic, we
had this so-called Lent season. In this season we
refrain from eating meat only every Friday. We also
reflect during this period.

But Ramadan is different because you have to fast for
a month."

The Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) has declared
Sunday, September 24, the first day of Ramadan.

The decision came after receiving from the Moon
Sighting Committee a report coming from Metro Manila
and OMA's 11 regional offices that the crescent moon
that ushers in the holy month of fasting was not
sighted.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those
traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food,
drink, smoking and sex.

True Religion

Bade has found solace in Islam.

Despite the negative image of Muslims wrought largely
by the 9/11 attacks in the United States, he embraced
Islam because "it is not a religion that it is painted
to be. Islam is a religion of peace."

Bade is among hundreds of Filipinos who try to
understand Islam under the tutelage of the Jumiato
Moalafate Kolobohom for Da'wah and Guidance, an
organization helping Balik Islam learn about their new
faith.

"I found Islam to be the truest religion. I have
studied Christianity in the seminary and I can say
that Islam is the truest. That is why I have returned
to Islam."

Randy Salem, president of Al-Islamia Foundation, said
that despite all the doubts cast against Islam and the
Muslims, "we see an increasing number of Balik
Islams."

"More and more Filipinos are getting interested in
Islam. I guess this is because of the interest
generated by the noise created due to the bombings and
other violence that involved Muslims. It has tickled
the curiosity of many and caused them to study our
religion, our beliefs."

Salem is happy that many become convinced that Islam
is not a religion of violence.

"What makes me glad about this influx of non-Muslims
wanting to know the truth about Islam is they realize
we abhor violence, that Islam means peace."

Filipinos who reverted to Islam have formed a Council
of Elders to guide them and raise their concerns and
problems with the government.

The council, composed of 30 members, guide the whole
Balik Islam community in addressing issues and
concerns that are affecting or would affect them.

It also represents the community, estimated at some
200,000, in talking to the Philippine government
officials if necessary.

Spiritual Journey

Ramadan, Salem told IOL, is a period of fasting and
also "of proving once again that we love our fellow
people, including the non-Muslims."

He invited non-Muslims to "join us all every afternoon
when we break the fast together and experience how we
enjoy it, how we enjoy another day of fasting."

Ponciano Dominguez Jr., who now carries the name Abdul
Kharim, recalls he felt the way Bade does when it was
his first time to experience Ramadan 11 years ago.

"I anticipated it with great enthusiasm, eagerness and
excitement because it is a pillar of our faith," he
told IOL.

"And by fasting, we are fulfilling what we are
supposed to do. So this is a big thing for us."

Kharim has used Ramadan to "deepen my faith" spending
much of his time reading the Noble Qur'an.

"This is the time for me to devout much of my time
reciting the Qur'an and other religious texts. This is
a special time for me to reflect."

Kharim, Bade and other Balik Islam insist that
Ramadan, too, is the time for them to manifest their
being one with the ummah and a time to prove to
everyone else that "we are not extremists,
fundamentalists,terrorists, bombers or what-not, but
we are Muslims in thoughts, words and deeds."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moderate meals in Ramadan help keep good health
Published: Tuesday, 26 September, 2006, 11:06 AM Doha
Time
Staff Reporter
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=109739&version\
=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

THE faithful, fasting during the holy month of
Ramadan, should observe a well-balanced diet and
maintain an active lifestyle in order to ensure good
health, medical experts have urged.
“It has been scientifically proven that fasting is
good for health, and also imparts spiritual and
psychological benefits, provided proper dietary habits
are followed,” they explained.
The best option to break the fast is to have a few
dates, water, and a light vegetable soup or laban.
After returning from prayers, a moderate meal could be
taken.
There should be a small meal each after the evening
prayers, and at Suhoor (pre-fast meal).
“The most common problem during Ramadan is gastric
upset caused by overeating at the time of breaking the
fast,” a physician pointed out.
Quite a number of people have been approaching Hamad
Medical Corporation’s Accident and Emergency
Department, especially during the initial days of
Ramadan over the years, with such complaints.
“Dizziness, nausea and indigestion are among the
common problems seen during the early phase of the
season,” a specialist with the Department recalled.
Some people take lot of fluids immediately after
breaking the fast. This could lead to indigestion and
discomfort.
Warm fluids or soups are ideal for the digestive
system after fasting. Cold drinks, particularly soft
drinks, should be avoided.
“Soft drinks can cause gas formation, leading to some
of the digestive juices to go up the oesophagus and
cause a burning sensation,” the specialist suggested.
Intake of too much salty or sweet foods immediately
after breaking the fast would also cause discomfort.
In the case of excessive consumption of salt, body
will retain water, resulting in a bloated feeling, and
if it is an overload of sweets, the blood glucose
levels will shoot up leading to problems.
Oily snacks or foods, when taken soon after breaking
the fast, can be a heavy burden on the stomach and
lead to indigestion.
“Hyper acidity and regurgitation can also occur from
oily foods, which requires time and effort to be
digested,” the specialist said.
The basic principle to be observed when breaking the
fast is to consume food gradually, without causing
strain to the digestive system, which have been idling
for about 12 hours during fasting.
Another important point to be remembered is to chew
the food properly and not swallow in haste, so as to
ensure proper digestion.
The specialist stressed that fasting is beneficial to
the body as the digestive system, working non-stop
throughout the year gets some rest during fasting.
“The glycogen stored by the liver is released and used
as a source of energy during fasting. So is the case
with fat stored in the body,” he observed.
A majority of those who fast during Ramadan lose
weight. This is beneficial, especially for those who
are overweight, as it helps regulate blood pressure
and cholesterol levels.
A French-Moroccan study, published in 1998, had proved
that fasting during Ramadan induces a marked increase
in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the ‘good’
cholesterol, and decrease in low-density lipoprotein
(LDL), the ‘bad’ cholesterol.
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is
carried by HDL, a high level of which gives protection
against heart attack.
When too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood,
it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the
arteries that feed the heart and brain and clog
arteries.
However, those with persistent health problems have
been advised to consult their physicians before
embarking on fasting, so as not to aggravate their
condition.
For instance, it would be unwise for certain patients
with uncontrolled angina or severe heart failure to
fast.
On the other hand, heart patients allowed to fast are
cautioned not to take a high-salt diet with fluids
while breaking the fast.
As far as diabetics are concerned, for a vast majority
fasting is a good opportunity for better control with
weight reduction.
“But it may be unsafe to fast for those who experience
frequent fluctuation in blood sugar level between high
and low ranges,” a cardiologist said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Hindu who fasts religiously every Ramadan
Web posted at: 9/26/2006 4:19:24
Source ::: THE PENINSULA

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=\
Qatar+News&month=September2006&file=Local_News2006092641924.xml

doha • An Indian Hindu from Kerala, who has been
fasting during Ramadan for the past several years,
says he has benefited immensely from the practice both
spiritually and physically.

The man, who does not want his name in print fearing
that people might think it is a publicity stunt, says
even his closest friends do not know that he fasts
during the Islamic holy month.

“Only my close family members know that I fast during
every Ramadan and they feel happy about it," he told
this newspaper yesterday. According to him, it all
began more than 20 years ago when he was working in
Mumbai where most of his friends were Muslims from his
state.

Having arrived here in 1986 to work, he again found
himself in the company of Muslims and continued with
the practice of fasting during Ramadan.

And the interesting part is that he gets invited by
some of his Muslim acquaintances in the community for
Iftar parties without them being aware that he was
actually fasting.

He avoids non-vegetarian and rich food all through the
fasting month and says the practice has helped him
maintain good physical and mental health.

"Even at this age I don't have any ailment like high
blood pressure, high cholesterol or excess fat. I feel
fit," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ramadan Tent" Dominates Gulf Hotels
Islamonline.net & News Agencies
Mon., Sep. 25, 2006

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-09/25/01.shtml

DOHA — Across the entire Gulf, major hotels are used
to erecting massive luxury tents during the holy
fasting month of Ramadan to attract many people
following the Tarwih prayers, who are fed up with Arab
satellite channels supplying an uninterrupted flow of
soap operas and game shows.

"We named our tent 'Children of the Medina', after the
masterpiece by the Egyptian writer Nagib Mahfuz", the
Nobel literature laureate who died last month aged 94,
the marketing director of Doha Sheraton Shukri Hussein
told Agence France-Presse (AFP)

The Sheraton in the Qatari capital has this year opted
for the open air, putting up a giant Bedouin-style
air-conditioned tent looking out over a lagoon.

Shortly after Ramadan began on Saturday, September 23,
dozens of workers were still putting the finishing
touches to a large wooden model of a mosque at the
hotel entrance, to greet the arrival of the holy
month.

Ramadan is the most important month of the Islamic
calendar, during which the first verses of the Noble
Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him).

During this time, which is dedicated to spiritual
growth, Adult Muslims — save the infirm, patients or
those on a journey — must refrain from eating,
drinking and having sexual relations between dawn and
sunset.

The daily fast is broken with an evening meal called
the iftar , after which many Muslims attend special
congregational nightly prayers, known as Tarwih.

Ramadan evenings are often festive, with visits among
relatives and friends. The month ends with one of
Islam's major holidays, Eid Al-Fitr.

Expensive

These tents, however, are only attracting the well-off
who can afford its minimum charges.

The Marriott's marketing director, Rhoda Adams,
attributed the soaring prices to the overall cost,
saying the hotel's tent cost 400,000 riyals -- about
110,000 dollars.

The Ritz Carlton decided to spend 300,000 riyals --
more than 80,000 dollars -- on its Ramadan tent,
according to the hotel's public relations officer
Annie Buckley.

The cheapest charge for entry to these Ramadan soirees
is 75 riyals, or about 20 dollars.

The evening gatherings often last until "suhur", the
final meal before fasting resumes at dawn.

The gatherings are also fed by Arab satellite channels
supplying an uninterrupted flow of soap operas,
variety shows, dramas, game-shows and chat shows.

It is the same in all the main cities of the Gulf's
other monarchies. Whether it be Dubai or Abu Dhabi in
the United Arab Emirates, Jeddah or Riyadh in Saudi
Arabia or in Kuwait, restaurant owners and hoteliers
compete to outdo each other in their efforts to
attract as many Ramadan patrons as possible.

"For Ramadan our tent will be there and our
restaurants will, as usual, be offering a buffet for
iftar," said Abdel Nabi Amini, deputy director of the
Gulf Hotel in Manama.
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http://www.islamawareness.net/Ramadhan/