Fearing Ramadan, Embracing Ramadan

Justice is a bowl of soup for the body. The soul gets fed as well. I'm going to make up a pot today from the garden. I'll have a bowl for you. It will be super because you are worth it. Then again maybe you are just Wonder Woman. A nun just drove by in a Chevy. There is a sign, it says Go. Flying is a real challenge with no wings.

Wow, Kurt Walker- keep sharing your impressions with us, please.

Peace

KRISHNA, I could come to India and suggest to the authorities that you need to have your head examined by a specialist you know. :)

KRISHNA:

I will not ban you to a mental institution as you are doing. I will call you uninformed and steeped blindly in your militant fascist Hindu agenda. All you need to do is take off your blinkers and read a little more....a lot more.

Nazis and KKK are NOT Christian denominations.

Just in case you forgot, many Germans fought their own Nazis ( as peace-loving Indian Hindus MUST fight the militant fascist Hindus desperately trying to take political power to turn India into a militant fascist Hindu theocracy), and the Nazis were finally defeated. In Germany it is ILLEGAL even to express appreciation for the Nazi regime.

KKK are punished by US if they indulge in any violence.

The crusades happened nearly a thousand years ago. It was in response to Islamic militancy for over three hundred years.

The Popes have apologized for all sins of the Catholic church.

For four thousand years high caste Hindus have oppressed low caste Hindus that they have lived in a different world. When did the high caste Hindus ever apologize or make reparations? Now when the fathers of free India led by Mahatma Gandhi, worked compensation into the Indian Constitution to make up in a small way (it will take at least a thousand years for the effects to become evident), militant fascist high caste Hindus would like to seize political power and overturn the Indian Constitution and install a fascist Hindu theocracy, setting the Indian clock backwards by at least five and a half centuries, to the time of Hindu kings and Manu Smrithi social rules....including Sati etc.

Sorry, India should move forwards with a secular government that respects all religions, not backwards into Hindu fascism.

KRISHNA: "You say christianity never indulged in violence, that statement in itself should be proof enough to put you in a mental institution. Again I do not think Jesus and his teachings has anything to do with this more than Vatican or Church."

I suggest you read a bit of European history and the history of the Catholic Church before making comparisons with Christians in India. Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 AD and made it the official religion of Europe.

Christian converts in India did not make Christianity the official religion at any time, not even the high caste converts of 52 AD.

Can you say that Hindu kings did not engage in war? Does that mean Hinduism is a religion that propagates violence because their kings have fought battles to win territories?

So once again: Christianity has been the religion of the rulers in Europe since 312 AD. But Europe has secular governments now, just like India.

KRISHNA: India doesnt need to provide any special proof for morons like you. Its centuries of multi relegious and multi cultural co-existence is proof in it self. There is no place on earth that has the same record or any thing closer.

Anonymous: You might be surprised I happen to have a right to demand what militant fascist Hindus are doing to fellow Indians who happen to be Christians. India is a member of the United Nations. The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights state that all human beings have the right to practice any religion they want and change their religion if they choose. The law of a democracy has no right to deny the right to religious freedom, which includes the right to change religions. Such a rull India only their own. All are Indians, no le applies not only to Muslims but also to Hindus. India is a secular democracy, not a militant fascist Hindu theocracy.

Yes, Hindus in India does have a long history of peaceful co-existence with other religions. India has given refuge to the religiously persecuted from other countries, Jews, Parsis (from Iran), Buddhists (from Tibet) etc. India is the birthplace of four religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It has accepted Christianity in 52 AD, Islam came to South India by peaceful means in the earliest days of the religion before it was brought by Muslim invaders to the North.

All have lived in peace for centuries now. There was Muslim rule for 300 years in a large part of the North, and 200 years of British rule after that.

The British did not use their political power to convert Indians to Christianity. The percentage of Christians before and after British rule have remained the same. Christianity came to India in 52 AD brought by an Apostle of Jesus, Thomas and in 1543 by Francis Xavier by a Spanish Roman Catholic missionary, the co-founder of the Jesuit Order (which is why there are so many Jesuit schools and colleges in India, which happen to be well known for its excellence in education).

THE RISE OF MILITANT FASCIST HINDUS IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN HISTORY. IT HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH THE HIGHEST IDEALS OF HINDUISM BUT IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED AND WANTS POWER AND POWER ONLY FOR HIGH CASTE HINDUS AS WAS THE CASE WHEN ONLY HIGH CASTE HINDUS HAD THE SAY IN HINDU SOCIETY. IT WANTS TO TURN INDIA INTO A MILITANT FASCIST HINDU THEOCRACY.

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KRISHNA: We lost half of our land already and are not being left alone in the remaining. We are fighting for our very existense. Ideally I would like a non-religious state but if I have to co-exist with one, I will take Buddism or Hinduism to Islam or Chrstianity.

Anonymous: Pakistan and Bangladesh does not make up half of India. It is tragic India was divided like that. But it is not right to exaggerate the size of Pakistan and Bangladesh. I suggest you compare the data regarding the area of India and the areas of Pakistan and Bangladesh put together.

But don't forget India had been ruled by the British for two hundred years before independence, not by Hindus, much less by militant fascist Hindus. Hindus and Muslims worked together for Indian independence. Hindus can't take all the credit and camatter what religion they practice. Deb Chatterjee, who is a fascist Hindu, resident in the US, forgets India is not a country of immigrants like the USA and talks of Hindus as "us" and non-Hindus as "they," never mind he himself lives outside India.

And who is fighting for "very existence?" Another militant fascist Hindu lie! Sure militant fascist Hindus OUGHT to be suppressed for they are creating an India of intolerance and violence.

India is a secular democracy, but militant fascist Hindus are desperately looking for a pretext to turn India into a Hindu fascist theocracy. I just hope sufficient number of Indians are sane enough to see through their Machiavellian tactics and stop them.

KRISHNA: You say christianity never indulged in violence, that statement in itself should be proof enough to put you in a mental institution. Again I do not think Jesus and his teachings has anything to do with this more than Vatican or Church.

Anonymous: If you recall we were discussing Christianity in India and whether Indian Christians indulged in violence at any time. Christianity came to India in 52 AD, so Christians have a record of peaceful co-existence with Hindus and people of other religions for nineteen and a half centuries.

The history of Europe has nothing to do with India. The British ruled India for 200 years, they did not convert anyone nor did Christians engage in any uprising against Hindus during that time.

So check out your facts about India before hurling insults at me.

Anonymous:

What Muslims coudnt do it in 800 years and Christians in 200 years, Hindus could do it in just 50 years - convert dalits , OBC s and tribals to Hinduism.

______________________________________

Another Anonymous ---

Why did the Hindus not convert the Dalits for four thousand years? That is enough time one would think, considering nobody ever stood in the way of Hindus at any time. Now all of a sudden the militant fascist Hindus would like to convert them at the point of a knife?

And the Dalits would be "converted" to Hinduism and given which caste to belong to? Dalits, right? How generous!

What Muslims coudnt do it in 800 years and Christians in 200 years, Hindus could do it in just 50 years - convert dalits , OBC s and tribals to Hinduism

Kurt, Kurt, Kurt,

You noted: "Experiencing Ramadan over the last three days has been a journey, of sorts, into an unknown realm, a wilderness if you will. As Moses was in the wilderness, as Jesus was in the wilderness, as Noah was confronted with the wilderness of the endless water surrounding him, these people of God were open to God in a way that caused them to be filled with great wonder and awe for God, to lament their past and passionately grasp on to the hope of a better tomorrow not only for themselves but for their community."

You should have said:

Experiencing the Fun and Feasting of Ramadan over the last three days has been a "joy" journey, of great food and drink.

As mythical Moses was in the mythical wilderness, as Jesus was in the mythical wilderness, as mythical Noah was confronted with the mythical wilderness of the of the non-existent water world, these mostly mythical people in their mythical worlds were invented and/or embellished by the local scribes to impress the locals and to gain their monetary support.

Here is the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_violence_in_India#Religious_involvement_in_North-East_India_Militancy

All you have to do is google.

And also it doesnt surprise me u never heard of crusades or Nazis or KKK or million more of such denominations.

Like I said you belong in a mental institution or should be locked up somewhere secure.

Kurt Walker:

My heart goes out to you. Wish you an speedy recovery.

May God bless both of you to develop and promote interfaith understanding.

We are all God's creations. We are supposed to respect all life and help our neighbors, community, and humanity, in whatever way we can.

Again, Thank you for your post.

Peace!

So, I am deeply interested in Interfaith dialogue and combined social justice action in the world. It is at the crossroads of these two aspects of my theology that I believe will most change the world for the better in the 21st century. It’s in this work that will best allow us to answer Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” with a resounding ‘no’. No, we will not allow the world that we share to spiral down into a violent world of wars fought over ideologies; whether they be cultural, social or theological.
As a result of a growing friendship between me and a Muslim neighbor, Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, I made a conscious decision to join he and his family in the Islamic tradition of the Ramadan fasting and prayer. He a PhD student from Indonesia studying Islamic Studies at Harvard and me a born-and-raised, 11th generation citizen of the Commonwealth, who is an MDiv candidate for ordination in the United Church of Christ at Andover Newton Theological School.
I am doing this for several reasons, to show my solidarity with my Islamic brother and neighbor, to show my solidarity with the poor and oppressed of the world, to give me an opportunity to express my spirituality in a new and refreshing way and perhaps to just simply see what it physically and psychologically feels like. As a result, I have been waking up at 4:30 in the morning, reading the daily lectionary and eating a heavy break-fast of cereal, eggs and perhaps some left-over pizza (or whatever is left-over in the fridge, for that matter) and then heading back to bed until my 6 year old twins get me up at approximately 6:30am.
I am then, thankful, I guess, to a medical condition I have involving my kidneys, drinking a lot of water during the day. I’ve been told by Ulil that I have special dispensation for this. This somehow makes me feel better knowing that I have gotten “approval” from someone of the Islamic faith that this is “OK”. I then do not eat until approximately 7:30 in the evening which is the official time for break-fast due to sundown. This time gets approximately one minute shorter each day. This evenings breakfast, then, came at 7:20pm.
Aside from the various comments and questions of ‘why’ and ‘what for’ from my neighbors, friends and family, here is what I have found thus far about my own experience to be meaningful to me.
Reading the daily lectionary and splitting it up into three parts has been significant to me by allowing me to intentionally focus on sacred texts as a daily part of prayer without the necessity of an emergent situation or condition in my life or the life of a friend or family member or specific condition in the world. My prayerful moments over the last three days have been both an intentional distraction from the physical and psychological yearnings of hunger and a reminder of God’s place in that place of physical and psychological yearning. A call to remember both the human and divine state within our own being. After reading the scripture a couple of times I am distracted enough to forget about my hunger. Thus, it is through the feeding of the Word that I am nourished and sated rather than through the pure intake of food.
As the last three days have also coincided with the last three days of summer vacation for the twins I also saw a change in them as the days have gone on. As my son Benjamin prepared a bag of popcorn in the microwave in front of Ulil’s son Ben, he and I looked at Benjamin with a look of hunger in our eyes as I reminded Benjamin that both Ben and I were fasting. At this, he smiled and said “that’s right, I’ll fast too and quietly placed the bag of popcorn on the stove and walked away from it, un-open. A new lesson had been learned. He and his sister have also expressed a desire to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to beak-fast with Ben and his family. Although I have not permitted this, it has given me the opportunity to explain to them that this is an important time for Ben’s family as they spend it in prayers and contemplation, reciting one of the 30 sections of the Qur’an each day.
Although there has been instances when I have seen the international cultural and social influences on my children exerted in their everyday living through their interactions with other children from Indonesia, South Korean, Taiwan, India, Zambia, etc. this is the first time that I saw a visual representation of the future of interfaith living from a everyday, social perspective. Simply put, Benjamin recognized that there was a different thing going on in Ben’s religious and spiritual life. That there was something different about Ben’s acting on his faith tradition from how Benjamin acts upon his faith tradition and he decided to ally himself with that other tradition. A tradition that he does not fully understand or appreciate but is able to ally himself with out of a pure sense of wanting to participate. Out of a sense of wanting to be a part of this experience. Benjamin had not given that bag a popcorn a second thought once he knew that Ben was not going to eat and that his doing so would have caused undue tension between he and his friend. Is this not what the main focus of interfaith work should be in our world today?
In my deciding to participate in Ramadan with my Muslim brother I am learning and it is in that learning that enables me the possibility of building a stronger bridge between my faith tradition and his. In participating in Ramadan I am allowing myself a heightened sense of awareness for my own tradition while taking the time and the effort to experience another’s. Out of these last three days I have felt myself becoming closer to Ulil in a real way. I have opened myself up to his faith tradition in a way that most Christians have not done and are, frankly, bewildered by, yet it is there in the openness that allows me to best experience the other. To empathize out a place of compassionate passion for the other.
Experiencing Ramadan over the last three days has been a journey, of sorts, into an unknown realm, a wilderness if you will. As Moses was in the wilderness, as Jesus was in the wilderness, as Noah was confronted with the wilderness of the endless water surrounding him, these people of God were open to God in a way that caused them to be filled with great wonder and awe for God, to lament their past and passionately grasp on to the hope of a better tomorrow not only for themselves but for their community. A wonder and awe that came through the experience of being in the wilderness, of residing in the stillness of the unknown. This is when the ears are best opened and the eyes can best see the divine of ALL creation.
Over the next 27 days, as the journey continues, I will be continuing to focus on Christian scripture and prayer through the physical and psychological experience of searching for both the divine and the humanity within the hunger. If we are to be truly made in the divine image of the creator, isn’t it our job to be about the business of creatively and humbly creating anew our relationships in the world with God, other humans and nature? Perhaps it is in continually creating and each successive moment of re-creating that allows us to be at one with the Divine.

Peace and Blessings Be Unto You,

Kurt

Muslims dont consider Mohammed or Jesus as GODS or his relatives.. They both were just prophets of Islam.

And yes looks like you are getting somewhere now -Muslims want the samething too - Dont kill the people in the name of religion. Be it Bin Laden or Narendra Modi or Bal Thackeray or Prabhakaran or Milosevic or Karazdic or Ratko Mladic or timothy mcveigh or Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold and so on..

If you dont know these people , do a google search. These are all murderers associated with religions like Islam , Christianity and Hinduism. Now, Does it mean all Muslims , christians and Hindus are Murderers??

Thats what exactly it symbolizes, although I am not as lucky as he was.

I do not consider KRISHNA or RAMA or MOHAMMED or JESUS as GODs or his nearest relatives. They are all influential figures in their own times. If you can gain some good out of their experiences or teachings its fine, if not you can find your own path, but just dont blow up people in anybody's name.

Habeeb wrote:
Krishna,

What does your name symbolize ? Does it mean anything to you ?
For me it symbolizes the Krishna of Mahabharata who used to steal the clothes from women while they are bathing, And watch them naked !

Anonymous, this article is excellent. It should be read by all

http://www.csss-isla.com/IIS/archive/archive.php?article=2008/july.htm

Krishna,

What does your name symbolize ? Does it mean anything to you ?
For me it symbolizes the Krishna of Mahabharata who used to steal the clothes from women while they are bathing, And watch them naked !

It looks like a fast harvest this year. My corn looks just right for picking. The peppers are coming along well. Some of the trees indicate an early fall this year, so we will see what falls and where it falls. We know who will fall and who will be fit for survival. Keep growing America and keep the presses turning out wine and papers. We need both, which beats bread lines and fasting for the harvest. I'm on to new challenges and new frontiers with a full belly and a full bottle. It's been a real blast guys. I need to go blast something new on another range. I lost love, I never lost my way though. There is a will.

Anonymous, I read that article...skimmed over it, you have to give me a better article than that, it is quite poorly written and very typical of what islamic apologists write. There are too many assumptions the author "engineer" makes. I hope this is not your best proof of Islam as a viable religion, if it is then you need help.

On another note, my belly is full and so is my soul and spirit. I don't know why you muslims have to starve yourselves for a prescribed precise time to get to that higher understanding? If this is what it takes for you folks to be good then maybe you shuld fast 365 days a year and the world will be a better place.

Arif

Habeeb,

For people with heads in their Asxxs like you it is hard to understand for the rest its not.

Hinduism is a philosophy not a relegion. I do not go to any temple or worship any god but still meditate, do yoga and many more things hinduism presents for everyone.

Like I said for your kind which can only comprehend inchosevive rantings from mullahs..its hard. I understand

Habeeb:

Krishna,

Looks like you are confused yourself, Either you are an athiest or a believer in Hinduism . You cant be both ! All of your arguments are baseless and misleading, and donot carry any weight.

Get some help u idioxt!!

Beautiful words. Beautiful thoughts for this most beautiful MONTH of all the months in the year, Mr patel. Up to now, I didn't think you ARE Muslim. I am surprised.

Krishna and Anonymous suggest that “critics of Islam” read an article by Ali Asghar that gives the following quote.

“ Firstly, the critics and opponents of Islam deliberately ignoring hundreds of other verses which are on tolerance, forgiveness, humane treatment of enemies and so on. Besides that in the Prophet's (PBUH) life too there are several events which could be model for anyone to imitate.”

First those tolerant verses you allude to were written in Mecca during the early part of Mohammad’s ministry when he was trying to lure as many followers as possible from among the non-Muslims. Later when he moved to Medina, he had enough following to feel secure enough to abrogate (revoke) all those early tolerant verses and replace them with intolerant and violent verses such as Quran 9:5 and 9:29 etc.

Taking the Prophet as a model “for anyone to imitate" is hard to swallow. The prophet tore up Um Qirfah into two parts by attaching each of her legs to a different camel and whipped them to run in opposite directions. This because she said something the Messenger of Allah did not like. He did the same for the poetess Asma bint Marwan for writing some verses he did not approve of. He sent one of his henchmen to plunge a sword through her chest while she was breastfeeding her baby.
Does Ali Asghar wish us to behave as such?

Krishna,

Looks like you are confused yourself, Either you are an athiest or a believer in Hinduism . You cant be both ! All of your arguments are baseless and misleading, and donot carry any weight.

Get some help u idioxt!!

Anonymous,

I read that, and I ask why is it that some of your muslim friends not following that.

I say some not all, as I know many better muslims than what you see everyday.

The worst part is when it is only a few muslims that are crazy and suicidal, many are silent some in agreement and many in fear. That is worse than any suicide bombing.

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that Islam is a social revolution that was much much needed at the time in Arabia, it is quite not successful. Instead of spreading the message of the revolution and reforms proposed by the prophet, it is spreading the old barbaric ways he sought to change only in his name.

Anonymous WROTE:

Arif if you have time please read the following article

http://www.csss-isla.com/IIS/archive/archive.php?article=2008/july.htm

Starve to death for all I care. I just had a spud and pork. I washed it down with a couple of cold lager beers and I feel better. I could of spent lunch hour feeding my soul and praying to worms too. Does this mean we shouldn't feed the birds? I got birdshot and shells I bought on 911, so I'm ready for war hell or high water. Enjoy your bread and water in the little cell we built for you out back. I went into last month rolling and this month the plan is rocking. Don't take it too hard, we didn't start it. We'll finish it though.

Arif if you have time please read the following article

http://www.csss-isla.com/IIS/archive/archive.php?article=2008/july.htm

Fasting in different Religions

http://www.beliefnet.com/features/fasting_chart.html

Dear Santa,
Please find Mrs. Challenger for me. I have apples for her and want to bake a pie just for her this Christmas. I will keep the apples in the freezer and leave you a slice of pie when you come to bring gifts for the children on Christmas Eve. I'll wrap up your pie in waxed paper to go, since I know how busy you will be. I've been feeding the deer apples, so I'll leave apples for your reindeer because they will need fuel for the long journey you must make. I hope it's a white Christmas, because I've been dreaming of a white Christmas. It won't be the same without Mrs. Challenger here to have pie with me. The ice cream will be in the freezer so if you want some, help yourself.

Thanks Santa and take care of Mrs. Santa, we love you both.

"Arif: Jews comprise as few, if not fewer, Americans than Muslims. So why do we have Holocaust Museums all over America, and no museums about our 350+ years of slavery? Why is criticizing Israel the ultimate in political incorrectness? Why do American politicians prostrate themselves before AIPAC every election? Which religious/ethnic group really makes the most noise? Oy vay!"

Muslims boast of exaggerated populations, however Jews still outnumber the ever breeding Muslims in the US, thank God not Allah for that! I have no beef with Jews; they always knew how to look after themselves and their own. Looking at history they invented the Abrahamic Religions as we know them, baring the fraud Mohammed, all the prophets were Jews even Jesus Christ was a Jew, he did not create Christianity his followers did. The bastard child of Abraham, Ishmael is credited for Mohammed's Muslims. These two people have been at each others throats since the day Hagar was banished with her son you know who. Jews however have been the favored children of their God since Abraham, afterall they have always been fortunate in making money, they have the Midas touch(Midas was a Jew?). Wherever they went they were wealthy, it was Mohammed who looted them for their wealth and women. It was Mohammed who borrowed heavily from the Jews and their admirers the Christians. Mohammed had nothing original only, Kill, Kill, stone, behead etc., he loved the Jews money and so did Hitler. Now in these present times the Muslims are very jealous of the Jewish wealth and supposed grip over their admirers the American/European Christians. Jews are smart we all know that if they control people then we have to hand it to them and perhaps give them a medal. They entertain, they create, they are funny, they are wealthy... gosh they have it all. Based upon all that, why, baring Muslims, would anyone want to criticize Israel?

Arif (pbuh)

The Republican Convention in Minn. is not missing breakfast, lunch or dinner, day or night.

fasting Ramadan is an anti business tradition...it is a form of terrorism against productivity, ie, material gains for the few.

Censored for Eboo:

You MORxN u you never been any where out side your home let alone as far as India. Read my replies next to your comments

Another Hindu fascist with typical lies?

Ans:I am an Atheist and the only religion that is ok with that is Hinduism

When did Christians ask for a separate state?

Ans:Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and more

Militant Hindus are using violence against innocent Christians. Voicing objections to that constitutes meddling in Indian politics?

Ans: Vatican goons shot Swami Lakshmanananda Swaraswati and 4 of his followers to trigger this mess. Never was a riot in india started by a HINDU. People who got killed on both sides are indians..what the fudge is vaticans busines in it. We didnt say anything when You and your pope raped as many children as you wanted in your country, because its not our business.

Did India at any time raise objections to genocide anywhere in the world, or has it always remained indifferent to the plight of people elsewhere in the world?

Ans: We dont give a shxxt, leave us alone. What you do in your home is your business not mine.

Christianity came to India in 52 AD. After nineteen and a half centuries there are only TWO percent Christians in India. Does that make for the fastest growing religion?

Ans: You absolutely have no frixxing idea on india. There is always an official word and the real truth. Many Christians dont show they are Christians on books, because they will loose state benefits they get as dalits. Christians are no less than 15% of Indian population and significantly more and growing. There are more churches than any other religious buildings in india. My own extended family is at least 25% christian. But there has been a lot of change in the tone and actions of the current day missionaries. Earlier it is about peace and service now it is about Vatican and separation.

Most of the best private educational institutions, and some of the best hospitals in India are run by Catholics. Many Hindu fascists have attended them and benefited from the high quality of education and service.

Ans:I am one of them and there is nothing wrong with them. As long as you dont take orders from vatican and go around shooting people or asking for separation from the country, you are welcome

Check out the truth first. But of course as a Hindu fascist you need lies to propagate intolerance and hatred, don't you?

Ans: Shut your frixxing pie hole and mind your business, obviously you are not indian and all u know is from your FOX and friends. Iconic morons like you should not be allowed anywhere outside your own home.

We got a good exposure to the thinking style of Hindu fascists from Deb Chatterjee.

Ans:Who the hell is Deb Chatterjee, your uncle. you can both have an orxy for what I care.

Come on Ebooo, post my response, enough censoring.

Hello , my name is Muna Hamdan Rodriguez , a muslim girl , at the meanwhile fasting the holy month of Ramadan in Barranquilla, Colombia, which is actually a very hot and humid city, but really when ever I feel thirsty , I recall all these persons that spend days and nights in prisons or somewhere else without drinking and eating , I just thank Allah for the bless that at a certain time of the day ill be able to drink and eat and this just gives me the will to be patient and closer to Allah , it is as you said Mr, Patel our stomach is empty but our spirits are fulled. Thank you for this great article.

I prefer Jenny Craig.

Good post Eboo. I think you succeeded in explaining in a gradual and incremental sort of way, using yourself as an example, to an audience of mostly rednecks and Islam haters, the true significance of the fast to the majority of the world's Muslims.

Daughter of Dutchman(The civilization teachers of Indonesia),

Is there any muslim country in the southern hemisphere ?
Are there muslims on Antarctica ? (why couldnt muslims discover Antarctica.Does muslim know Compass,Telescope etc.)
Where do muslims move temporarily ? among infidels during ramadan ?

Malaysia,only one Olympic medal from Badminton,Lee Chong Wei,chinese not malay.
Indonesia,220 million population,only five medal.

By the way,shall you speak or lecture at MIIFC(Malaysia Islamic Institutes Finance Conference) ?
I would like to listen you.

Regards

Silly religions. If there is a "One," he couldn't care less what and when you eat. It never ceases to amaze me how we just ignore the inherit violence that is ingrained in Islam. Din and Dunya? How about "stop blowing yourselves up to kill scores of innocent people in the name of Ala."

I'm making six feet of dirt here. In about a decade I should have enough dirt to fill in a grave or two. The dead trees are feeding my family trees here, so I have apples on the tree, meant to be eaten. I could fast and let my fruit rot on the branch for the sake of religion. Bite the Big Apple.

Pakistan: Three teenage girls buried alive in tribal 'honour' killing (The Guardian, September 1, 2008)

Three teenage girls have been buried alive by their tribe in a remote part of Pakistan to punish them for attempting to choose their own husbands, in an "honour" killing case.

After news of the deaths emerged, male politicians from their province, Baluchistan, defended the killings in parliament, claiming the practice was part of "our tribal custom".

The girls, thought to have been aged between 16 and 18, were kidnapped by a group of men from their Umrani tribe.

They were driven to a rural area and then injured by being shot. Then, while still alive, they were dragged bleeding to a pit, where they were covered with earth and stones, according to the findings of Human Rights Watch, the international campaigning group. Officials, speaking off the record, confirmed the killings.

However, six weeks after the deaths, no one has been arrested, amid claims of a cover-up. According to several accounts, Baluchistan government vehicles were used to abduct the girls, and the killing was overseen by a tribal chief who is the brother of a provincial minister from the ruling Pakistan People's party.

Some reports said that two older relatives of the girls had tried to intervene, but they too were shot and buried with the girls while still alive. "This is a heinous criminal offence," said Ali Dayan Hasan, of Human Rights Watch. "We have corroborated it and cross-corroborated it, but the second the police admit that it happened, it would trigger an investigation."

Hasan said that, with a presidential election on September 6, one in which Baluchistan's provincial parliament would be strongly relied on to deliver votes, action that would antagonise the region's politicians was highly unlikely.

In Pakistan's national parliament, an MP from Baluchistan, Israrullah Zehri, said on Friday that "this action was carried out according to tribal traditions", a view backed up by some other male lawmakers, who attacked a woman senator who had raised the case.

"These are centuries-old traditions and I will continue to defend them," Zehri added over the weekend.

The killings happened in the Naseerabad district of Baluchistan. Although so-called honour killings are not unusual, burying the victims alive seems to have been brutal even by tribal standards.

"It is very common for women in these cases to be deprived of an honourable burial. This is to make sure others learn the lesson," said Samar Minallah, a human rights activist based in Islamabad.

Sarang Mastoi, a local journalist in Baluchistan with Pakistan channel KTN, said that the villagers were scared to talk openly about the crime, but he had been taken by some to see the burial site.

An editorial, published in Pakistani daily The News yesterday, said: "Surely the government should be seeking the murderers, not protect [them] through some dark conspiracy of silence. The fact the act was 'kept quiet' means the government sympathises with such doings.
***END GUARDIAN ARTICLE***

Oops. So sorry. Hope I have not intruded too much on the how-ignorant-Americans-are theme. We now return to our regular programming, in which enlightened Muslims tell us Americans what a bunch of Philistines we are, and how wonderful the world would be if Americans would just stop being so critical of other people's culture--and, above all, learned how to speak their language!

Hindu-fascists: What about the ancient Hindu practice of wife burning?

Great religion. Husband dies, wife fries.

Hare, hare, Krishna, hare!

To Joe:

Terrorism blamed by you, not by muslims, always muslims fight for the right. Muslims never agree to your point. Bush is responsible for 9/11, blame muslims, even in India also happening the same in order to damage Islam and muslims, Europe American and India playing a game. All the terrorim are responsible by above countries. In fact if you study Christians are the most terrorirst in the world. They killed millions, in US (Red Indians) in Austrailia (Oborjinies) bomb Japan, world war between who among christians only, Rwanda among Christians only, there are numbers we cannot count.

Joe : And we non-Muslims need a break from Islamic intolerance and terror all over the world.

Ah, but come break fast, Iftar, with us anyway, if you are invited by Muslim neighbours, friends or colleagues and you can and will.

If one really eat little during Ramadan, one will help alleviate the current global food crisis. If one eat eat too much, one will help worsen it.

If one find Ramadan too trying during the long daylights of summer in the northern hemisphere, and one has the means, one can move temporarily to the southern hemisphere where it is winter and the hours are short.

Lighten up, peace be with you and Ramadan to all, including and especially those in the food business, including the sheep farmers in Australia and New Zealand and the dates producers in the Middle East and even China.

Cheers and out.

J the Muslim lactose intolerant.

I request all the non-Muslim brothers they should know Islam by reading not by media. In order to know more about real Islam please visit website: www.irf.net, there you can find lectures, debates, with Hindus priest, christian priests etc. And also you can download these debates, speaches free of cost.

If you want to know more please contact: shafiuddin1955@hotmail.com

And we non-Muslims need a break from Islamic intolerance and terror all over the world.

I have difficulty in calling the Ramadan practice of missing lunch " fasting". I miss lunch throughout the year and my only real one meal is supper which I have anywhere between 3 PM and 6 PM. It is a crime to deprive your body of fluids( one must drink a glass of water every 4 hours) and it is not a healthy practice to eat after 6 PM as the food should get digested before one goes to bed. For breakfast I have an apple or a banana.

well said.

The head of the university department where I worked in Sudan was a Muslim in name only. He was an avoid atheist, yet he fasted Ramadan religiously. It was very hard to fast for him since he was a heavy smoker, and also the weather there is too hot even in December.
I, NATURALLY,WAS VERY CURIOUS ABOUT HIS INCONGRUENT BEHAVIOR. He explained to me once that he did not want to influence his children’s beliefs. He wanted them to formulate their own convictions when they are mature enough. The moral of the story is that not every one fasting is a true believer. This one was certainly not.

Porter says:
"As a Jew, it is disheartening to see the intolerant and prejudiced view many Americans have of Islam"

As a Jew you should be more concerned with what the Jews of Israel are doing to Muslims and also to the Christians of Palestine.

Krishna:

WOW..WOW..Easy there SM, since when is your vatican became an authority on our country. thats the whole reason people india are killing among themselves. The likes of you try to divide and rule ..again in less than 60 years. If not for vultures like you they wouldnt be rioting the way they are doing...

Christianity is in India for a long long time too and its the fastet growing relegion.

Problem is not with the relegions themselves. Outsiders like you and your vatican try to take advantage of it and pit brothers opposite brothers and try to divide families, regions and the whole country.

Vatican dogs are barking in northeast india for a separation, same with Pakistani pigs in Kashmir.

We already lost half of our land and fastly becoming minorities in the rest of the half. Finally when we try to resist that too only after being attacked first, you bark like a stary dog. You wish we go down without even a protest, unfortunately your wishes will noyt come true this time.

Again...as long as you are Indian first and whatever your relegion or what not is next, we are fine. If you think Vatican or Pakistan is your boss, get out of country or die.

_____________________________________________

Another Hindu fascist with typical lies?

When did Christians ask for a separate state?

Militant Hindus are using violence against innocent Christians. Voicing objections to that constitutes meddling in Indian politics?

Did India at any time raise objections to genocide anywhere in the world, or has it always remained indifferent to the plight of people elsewhere in the world?

Christianity came to India in 52 AD. After nineteen and a half centuries there are only TWO percent Christians in India. Does that make for the fastest growing religion?

Most of the best private educational institutions, and some of the best hospitals in India are run by Catholics. Many Hindu fascists have attended them and benefited from the high quality of education and service.

Check out the truth first. But of course as a Hindu fascist you need lies to propagate intolerance and hatred, don't you?

We got a good exposure to the thinking style of Hindu fascists from Deb Chatterjee.

For those reading these boards to get a little insight into Islamic fasting practices-
Of course the aged, infirmed, children, pregnant women, ladies during their menses, sick in any way, diabetic etc. do not fast- any health issues that fasting would interfere with.
Our bodies have rights of health over us.
Only the healthy and willing fast.

This is my own personal favorite time to do my Qur'an reading. It is so nice and quiet.
I seem to be getting up earlier and earlier. I am very blessed this Ramadan, as I can take off work for the whole month. (I work from home).
Ive never had that luxury before.
But how clean my house is! Even with 7 kittens.

Moslem Violence, how about christian violence or jew violence, who has the most victim throughout century?.. so shallow indeed....

Anwar claims CAIR advocated:
“Patients should be given the opportunity to decide whether or not their condition exempts them from fasting.”

Not only CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) is advocating that Muslim patients in this country overrule their physicians, but the founder of this organization has openly advocated the replacement of the US constitution by the Sharia laws. In other words they want to make us in their image. They want the USA look like Afghanistan ,Somalia or Saudi Arabia and they will if we let them.

In the light of so much ignorance expressed here about Ramadan, I found the following short article in Richmond Times informative:

Ramadan, season of renewal, starts today

Monday, Sep 01, 2008 - 12:09 AM

Today is the first day of Ramadan. For more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide, the month of Ramadan serves as a season of spiritual renewal and gratitude. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast. The Council on American-Islamic Relations prepared the following questions and answers about Ramadan.

Q: What do Muslims believe they gain from fasting?

A: One of the main benefits of Ramadan is an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim's life such as work and education.

Q: Why does Ramadan begin on a different day each year?

A: Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about 11 days earlier each year. Throughout a Muslim's lifetime, Ramadan will fall both during winter months, when the days are short, and summer months, when the days are long and the fast is more difficult. In this way, the difficulty of the fast is evenly distributed between Muslims living in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Q: Is it difficult to perform the fast in America?

A: In many ways, fasting in American society is easier than fasting in areas where the climate is extremely hot. This year at least, the number of daylight hours will be fewer than when Ramadan occurs during the spring or [early] summer. In Muslim countries, most people are observing the fast, so there are fewer temptations such as luncheon meetings, daytime celebrations and offers of food from friends. Many American Muslims would prefer a daytime work shift during Ramadan so that they may break the fast with their families and attend evening prayers.

Q: How can non-Muslim co-workers and friends help someone who is fasting?

A: Employers, co-workers and teachers can help by understanding the significance of Ramadan and by showing a willingness to make minor allowances for its physical demands. Special consideration can be given to such things as requests for vacation time, the need for flexible early-morning or evening work schedules and lighter homework assignments. It is also very important that Muslim workers and students 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 a card (there are Eid cards available from Muslim bookstores) or baked goods given to a Muslim co-worker during Eid ul-Fitr would also be greatly appreciated. Hospital workers should be aware that injections and oral medications might break the fast. Patients should be given the opportunity to decide whether or not their condition exempts them from fasting.

great post eboo

Looks like Prophet Muhammad tried to outdo the Jews. Jews pray once a week, Muslims pray 5-times a day. Jews have 1 day of atonement a year, Muslims have 30.

Does 30 day daytime fasting and 30-nights feasting pleases Allah?

I admire Muslims they really live by their religion unlike many other religions these days.Happy Ramadan to you Patel and all Muslims.

Since when do Hotel chains make you stop eating at certain times of the day? I'll stick with Motel 6. They leave the light on for me.

Victoria preaches:
“We are also fasting from impatience, anger, and any negative traits. That is the most important thing.”
Do you fast from denigrating all those others who are not fasting? Or not wearing veils? Or those who do not share your beliefs as ridiculous as they are? I think not. How can you when your Allah tells you ”You are superior to everyone else.”
Can any one dare eat openly in the streets of any Muslim community during the "Holy" month of Ramadan? The first time I passed by the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait I witnessed the Minister of Interior , who was a member of the ruling family, preside over the lashing of a poor Lebanese guy who was seen eating in downtown Kuwait city. Where is the lofty traits you talk about?
I do not deny that the streets of the Red District in Khartoum were almost deserted during the Ramadan days, but after sunset you can hardly move through those alleys.

We all are athiests of nearly every god ever worshipped by man - some of us just go one god further.

I have several Muslim friends and what I saw was appalling. During ramadan, they get up at 4 am and eat twice as much as the regular meal and then fast till dusk when they again feat twice as much the regular meal! I bet most end up with higher cholesterol at the end of Ramadan. Most do it as if it's a chore. Its such a joke. Like all religious stuff.

Great little blurb. Ramadan sounds demanding in a good way. It's definitely no piece of cake (ha, ha, ha). This sounds cliché but this article put a human face on a month in which I only knew the rudimentary facts and not actually what some people go through. Great work and I can't wait to see what this author writes about the month of the pilgrimmage to Mecca. ¿Is he a haji already?

Your "spirit is full" of worshiping a mass-murdering, fascist pedophile. Please have your spirit be less full.
Thanks.
Signed,
The sane world

How can this Islam be called a religion? The land of the prophet is the most intolerant place- for women, non-Muslims, gays etc. And a billion Muslims want to go there to visit at least once in their life time.

And Muslims are fighting and killing for more exclusive Islamic nations.

Laxman: What about the Hindus massacring Christian in India because they dared try to convert dalats (untouchables)? What about Hindu treatment of dalats that makes them want out of Hinduism? What about the Hindu pogrom against Muslim Indians in Gujarat a few years ago that killed tens of thousands of innocent Muslims? What about Hindu suicide bombers in Sri Lanka?

Arif: Jews comprise as few, if not fewer, Americans than Muslims. So why do we have Holocaust Museums all over America, and no museums about our 350+ years of slavery? Why is criticizing Israel the ultimate in political incorrectness? Why do American politicians prostrate themselves before AIPAC every election? Which religious/ethnic group really makes the most noise? Oy vay!

halozcel: What does Easter give to the world? Christmas? Passover? Yom Kippur? ANY religious holiday? Christmas = crass commerical spending orgy. Easter = nice, tasty lamb dinner with excellent claret. Lent = fast/starve just like during Ramadan but put funny charcoal marks on forehead. Passover + Yom Kippur = wearing funny beanies on the head, chanting while nodding head like bouncy bobble doll.

Ramadan kareem. Good to hear some honesty about you feel preparing for this month. I know I always struggle to balance din and dunya, too.

AJIT (Your fake Hindu name)

Your point is.........what

If someone find Rat tasty, let them eat it or do whatever they want. Its a free country and sure beats suicide bombing or a beheading.

About all the other topics you are mumblings, some are outdated by a few hundred years when women committed suicides rather than live to be violated by Fanatic Muslims and other invaders.

On the other social issues, do you expect a country of 1.2 billion with no social problems. Get your head checked. India is a democratic country and it will address its problems in due course and correct itself.

Look around in your house, I am sure you are afraid of what you see..and thats why you are turning to us in envy.

This is for Gopal and other fanatic Hindus:

Social scientists continue to report that the Hindu practices of urine-drinking, killing of brides for the sake of dowry, the burning alive of widows in the name of sati, female infanticide, coninue in much of rural and parts of uran India. Such practices call for instituting reform in Hindu society.

In South India, Hindus continue to worship male sex organs. Women who can not bear children, go to the temples and sleep with the priests hoping superstitiously to beget a child.

In an article titled, " Requiem for the Rat Eaters" published in the magazine, Asia (Vol. 150, No.16, October 20, 1997), the practice of rat eating among the low caste Hindus is discussed at length. Here are some interesting accounts:

On the vast social ladder that is India, no one sits on a lower rung than the Musahars. Like other sub-castes, theirs is both an inherited place in society and an occupation: the Musahars are fieldworkers, and one of their special skills is ridding croplands of predators such as snails and, most often, rodents. Poorest of the poor, they are known for their habit of eating their prey: in the Hindi language, mus means rat, and ahar food. India's rat-eating Musahars, concentrated in the backward state of Bihar, number 2 million.

It appears that rat eating among the Hindus is not confined to the State of Bihar. In an article titled, "Rat eating in Tamil Nadu is not due to poverty" published in the Times of India of Aug. 19, 2003, it was reported that the Tamil Nadu government told the Supreme Court that it was common for laborers in the Thanjavur area to eat “robust rats’’ but their eating habits were not due to starvation.

Replying to allegations made by MP Ashwini Kumar in a public interest litigation, the Jayalalithaa (the then Chief Minister) government’s affidavit said: “Before water is let out in the Cauvery river and canals, farmers usually ferret out field rats in the ridges of the fields and while doing so, it is common for the laborers to select robust rats for cooking after removing the skin during the rainy season and during summer.’’

Our fasts are not automatically valid- they must be accompanied by patience, and gentleness.

Imagine going through the whole day making the sacrifice and then getting angry- that is a reason for your fast to be nullified.

We are also fasting from impatience, anger, and any negative traits. That is the most important thing.

One thing maybe people don't realize is that the abstention from food and drink is only the outward manifestation.
Certainly it is the most palpable and visible.
But besides paying more attention to our stomachs and dry mouths- we also pay more scrutinizing attention to our hearts and actions.

Of course we should do this all the time!
And most of us I believe really try if that is our inclination.
But during Ramadan- for me- my kindness radar is up higher-
What a hopeless world it would be if everyone said, well- if you're not going to do the best thing every minute every day, why try at all?

Because it is practice and practice makes perfect. And there is carryover after Ramadan-
And it makes me more conscious of how my actions and little kindnesses affect others- and how my inactions and unkindnesses do likewise.

WOW..WOW..Easy there SM, since when is your vatican became an authority on our country. thats the whole reason people india are killing among themselves. The likes of you try to divide and rule ..again in less than 60 years. If not for vultures like you they wouldnt be rioting the way they are doing.

Islam has a presence in India even before it had acceptence in Mecca (Its not a typo or you didnt read that wrong..check some history)

Christianity is in India for a long long time too and its the fastet growing relegion.

Problem is not with the relegions themselves. Outsiders like you and your vatican try to take advantage of it and pit brothers opposite brothers and try to divide families, regions and the whole country.

Vatican dogs are barking in northeast india for a separation, same with Pakistani pigs in Kashmir.

We already lost half of our land and fastly becoming minorities in the rest of the half. Finally when we try to resist that too only after being attacked first, you bark like a stary dog. You wish we go down without even a protest, unfortunately your wishes will noyt come true this time.

Again...as long as you are Indian first and whatever your relegion or what not is next, we are fine. If you think Vatican or Pakistan is your boss, get out of country or die.

SM in NorCAL:

The offensive and xenophobic comments by readers such as Gopal and others of his cretin ilk are to be expected. They are part of a lunatic fringe that is unfortunatly given too much attention by virtue of the FACT that such creatures live merely to hate. His devotion to religious intolerance emanates from his being an obvious fanatical follower of Hinduism, a philosophy based on myths and worship of livestock. One point can and should be made about how peacful Hinduism has become recently. Its followers have been responsible for the merciless pogroms of Christians in India, thus drawing condemnation from the Vatican against Hindu violence towards both Christians and Muslims. I applaud the Washington Post for enabling Muslims to speak out regarding their efforts to reach out to others of diverse faiths about how they are developing their spiritual inner strength, and exemplifying themselves as everyday human beings that strive towards bridging differences between themselves and others in a contructive and meaningful way.

If only more Muslims in the Middle East could focus more on their spiritual development and less on their crazed excuses for murdering others this would be a far better world for Islam and the rest of us.

Q: Why do I associate Ramadan with violence?

A: Because its a Muslim holiday

Well Ramadan is not just about hunger and prayers.. Its about charity , caring for the poor , self scrutiny and keeping away from all forms of sins and temptations. This is kind of a month long course to purify yourself and continue for the rest of months.

The offensive and xenophobic comments by readers such as Gopal and others of his cretin ilk are to be expected. They are part of a lunatic fringe that is unfortunatly given too much attention by virtue of the FACT that such creatures live merely to hate. His devotion to religious intolerance emanates from his being an obvious fanatical follower of Hinduism, a philosophy based on myths and worship of livestock. One point can and should be made about how peacful Hinduism has become recently. Its followers have been responsible for the merciless pogroms of Christians in India, thus drawing condemnation from the Vatican against Hindu violence towards both Christians and Muslims. I applaud the Washington Post for enabling Muslims to speak out regarding their efforts to reach out to others of diverse faiths about how they are developing their spiritual inner strength, and exemplifying themselves as everyday human beings that strive towards bridging differences between themselves and others in a contructive and meaningful way.

Did the people that roamed the earth 400,000 years ago follow Ramadan? Because they didn't, did something horrible happen to them?

Religion was CREATED BY MAN once we started to have language and become civilized. We weren't put on this earth and all of the sudden we realize that all of the different cultures, oh my gosh, have different Gods! Isn't that amazing?

But wait, MY God is the correct one!

But what about your God? Is that God the correct one? Are you going to hate me because I believe in my God and you don't?

I just don't understand it. It makes absolutely no sense at all. Live the way you want, live correctly, live like you have a heart, and HOPEFULLY, if there is something at the end of this existance, we'll all benefit.

this post is a good example of presenting Islam (Ramadan) as a moderate perspective and religion. It is a dialogue with self as to what is important and what things to give up in order to gain something else.

Some of the participants, the Arifs and the Gopals, are an example of extremism that is detested in civil associations.

As a Jew, it is disheartening to see the intolerant and prejudiced view many Americans have of Islam and Muslims. The US Constitution guarantees religious freedom for everyone, not religious freedom for Protestants only.

Thank you for sharing part of what this fast means to you. It is my hope for the US and the rest of the world that greater understanding will foster greater acceptance and common ground.

Does this mean that followers of Islam will not blow up any non Muslims during the daytime the month of Ramadan?

Islamic terrorists should have eleven months of nonviolence towards the rest of the planet then all of us so called infidels might consider embracing you as brothers instead of lunatic extremists.

Great way to express nothing but the truth which I completely agree with since its the realization of what we are made for and to experience the real life which is to look outside the worldly shell we have built around us. But what we should realize is that while at it we should take full advantage of at least understanding the real reasons behind what we do.

On the contrary I enjoy the Ramadan a lot! I remember those childhood days in India, when I used to fight with my mom to wake me up at the saher (dawn). I shall have to say - Ramadan is a much awaited month for all Muslims.

I enjoy the iftars where people get together and break their fasts. Its a festive mood back there with many people, dressed in their beautiful attires, go out to buy the fruits and prepare for Iftar.

During Ramadan , I learnt that things could still workout if I spoke the truth even in unavoidable cases. Also, I found that I could work cool without having the coffee at my desk, which is almost an impossible thing for me on a normal day!
I still couldnot understand how it works.. Although I feel the hunger - I dont feel the urge/ crave to eat anything ! That part of my brain somehow gets disabled. :)

Why people buy into this insanity is beyond me.

Wonderful article! My stomach may be empty and mouth dry but my eyes are filled with tears.

Thank you Eboo.

Is Ramadan named after Hindu God Ram? Just wondering.

Mr. Patel, your co-religionists are blowing up innocent civilians all over your home state of Gujarat and the rest of India and the world. One Muslim followed an Ambulance to the hospital and blew up 50 people. Should we really care about your fasting?

An ex-Muslim, Ali Sina, of FFI has written an interesting book on the founder who started it all. Muslims have 57 exclusive Islamic nations, conquered through violence and terror, with no significant minorities. I bet you and billion Muslims feel very proud of that fact!

**My stomach is empty,but my spirit is full**

Does it mean *my stomach is full,but my spirit is empty* during other eleven months ?
Besides,your stomach is not empty.Your stomach is full dusk-to-dawn,instead of dawn-to-dusk.

And,those questions should be asked about Ramadan;
-What does Ramadan give to Humanity ?
-What does Ramadan provide to Civilization ?
-What does Ramadan give to islamic World ?

Islam is Idleness,as it is known.

Does Ramadan eliminate Idleness in islamic world or,on the contrary,contribute this idleness ?

Although no correlation with Ramadan,those questions ought to be added as well;
-Why there is not only one muslim woman/girl swimmer or artistic gymnast in Olympic Games ?

What did islam give to Humanity,Civilization and Human Rights ? That is the point.
Who cares *you eat Dannon Yogurt or not*

One of the central concepts in Islam is the balance between din and dunya, spirit and world.
these words stands as the central theme of this month. always on these day i too feel that u have wrote;"My stomach is empty, but my spirit is full."

Everthing about this credal religion - islam is extreme! why 1 long month ! why eat at night and fast during the day! why coerce kids and why do those with chronic conditions like diabetes put themselves at unnecessary risk! and why do us non muslims have to put with cranky and irritable muslims who obviously should not be fasting - if they cant handle the stress!

but then such is islam - irrational extremism - whether it is forcing women into ugly hijab - or misguided fanaticism which destroy thousands and thousands of beautiful temples and places of worship in utter arrogance and incomprehension and moronism - including world heritage sites like the bamiyan buddhas...

islam needs first and foremost a reformation and a modernisation process - sadly there is none on the horizon..

I loved the article. Especially the line about

"...set[ing] my life to the rhythm of the One rather than pretend that my hands are beating the drum."

As a Christian this is a concept I struggle with on daily basis.

LOL, somehow I don’t think Ramadan is long enough for you. It isn’t about the loss but about the replacement. You have the right idea of thinking about the One when wants arise but Ramadan doesn’t seem to last long enough for you to make that a permanent habit, one that lasts through out the year. When you think about the strawberries in the frig the rest of the year, do they remind you of the being capable of designing the biochemical processes that generate it, or fashion the senses such that they bring you pleasure. Can you accept the responsibility that their easy availability to you carries with it?
If you want to experience Ramadan, think about clearing land in the Sothern US with it’s 90 degree, 90% relative humidity weather on a military base where the chow hall only serves food during daylight hours. If you think about the loss you won’t get through it, think about the replacement. That which comes after Malike yo mideen.

Ditto the comments by Arif and the American Realist!!!!

Eboo, the trick is to not drink coffee thereby allowing you to sleep through most of the fasting hours.

I am from Tallahassee, FL USA. I am an Ismaili Muslim. I agree to most of the views you expressed about Ramzan and the philosophy lying in the roots of fasting. I would just lay my views on top of your's as you already provided a solid ground. Why Fasting? Answer: It teaches and gives you an opportunity to CONTROL your wordly desires which is extremely important to uplift your soul. Fasting is not just to stay away from food. If that is the case then a lot of poor people (not just muslims) are Fasting everyday across the whole world. Truly, Fasting is Fasting of your eyes, Fasting of your heart, Fasting of your hands, Fasting of your thoughts.
i.e; Practice & Keep yourself away from things which are not acceptable to our ethical, moral and religious values.
A spiritual leader once said: A Momin(term to describe a truly religious person who keeps God close to his heart) Fasts 365 days a year.
What does that mean: Ramzan is not the only month you need to keep yourself clean from bad things its just a reminder how your lives should be all year. You are too absoloutely right about One of the central concepts in Islam is the balance between din and dunya (spiritual and material).

"Ramadan" is little more then a month in which the forces of Islam can continue to attack the civilized western world while, through their surrogates on the Left, claim that the Civilized World has no right to retaliate for these attacks...

As Latter-day Saints we fast the first Sunday of each month. We donate the funds we would have spent on the meals to the poor and needy. There is definitely a tie between the physical and spiritual. Fasting gives us perspective and helps keep our mortal desires in check, bringing great inner power and peace. Thanks for your article.

The motivation for all human actions is fear. The hope is just another facade of fear.
Lucky are the people who can build their hopes of salvation on the foundation of religion. Unfortunately, religion is too bogus for some to drive any leverage from it. For all of us in that category, I suggest self discipline (thought control through strong mind).
Cheers
MS

Thank you my dear brother!

thanks for the great article.
I love the ending sentence when said "My stomach is empty, but my spirit is full."
Ramadan is all about purifying the sole

During Ramadhan, they We should put more effort into building bridges, making amends, treating others well and acknowledging basic family values such as respecting one's parents and siblings.

It is a time when We can set ourselves new goals about how their life should be and renew themselves and their outlook, a time when they can start afresh. Ramadhan is also a time when Muslims must pray more, do good deeds and remember those who are less fortunate and in need

I am a Christian, but having lived in Saudi Arabia for about four years in the late 60's and early 70's, I am somewhat familiar with the concept of Ramadan. I think this article helps explain to people of other religions and faiths the real reason for the period. I really liked the down to earth explanation. I hope a lot of people read this and understand this faith better.

Very well written!

Good job!

Excellent article on the purpose of fasting. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly referred to as Mormon) and we fast for 24 hours on the first Sunday of each month. I too have felt similar feeling when it is time to fast. Thanks for putting the thoughts into writing.

Although I'm not Muslim, I still admire the fasting done during Ramadan. Reading the very real thoughts you have during this time makes it much easier to relate to. Salaam alekum!

nicely written

Mashallah!!

During all my years of fasting, maybe my years in the United States are the most challenging, working day in and day out among non-Muslims and seeing the food and the drinks all day long. Then you have a meeting with (lunch provided), but I do not eat, people start asking, why you are not eating? Is it the food you don’t like or you are not feeling well? My answer always is “It is Ramadan, I am fasting”. This usually stirs longer discussions about what Ramadan means and why we Muslims fast. Bottom line, I end up feeling that I have contributed in educating others about Islam. It is uncomfortable talking about religion at work, but this is the only moment I feel more comfortable since I am only answering questions.

Maher,
Salam to All

What a great story from a modern person's view on fasting. For my friends and colleagues who are dumfounded that I'd stop eating during the day for 19 days (as we fast in the Baha'i faith), this is a great way for them to relate and understand that fast. Thanks!

-Marjon Barrigan
San Diego, CA

Look onto the bright side, you'll lose weight, you' ll come out stronger in faith and healthier !

Oh, please ... if the price of survival for 'Islam in the West' is to reduce it to the terms of a Hollywood teenage food comedy, then we can live without it altogether.