Reflections on Ramadan
All pictures courtesy the Ramadan Project
With the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of June 6, Ramadan has officially begun in Sri Lanka. A month of huge significance to Muslims, the most tangible aspect of Ramadan, to the uninitiated, is the daily fast from dawn to sunset. However, Ramadan is about more than just abstaining from food and drink. Groundviews spoke to some people on the perceptions and beliefs around Ramadan, and its personal significance to Muslims.
“You renew your relationship with yourself, by developing discipline in time-keeping, eating and sleeping, while staying focused,” Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Islamic studies, Malaysia said.
Apart from self- rejuvenation, Ramadan also renews a Muslim’s relationship with God, particularly through the daily fast. However, this month is also a time for family and friends; “This is the time you break fast together or go to the mosque,” and reconnecting with the community. “Through extra night prayers in the mosque, you engage with the rest of the community in a way you wouldn’t during any other time.” Beyond this, it’s also about renewing relationships with society, “you understand the trials and tribulations of the needy; you pray for those that are being oppressed. You share your fast with your neighbours."
These aspects are often mysteries to the uninitiated – in fact, non Muslims often perceive Ramadan to be a ‘dead month’. “No one really knows what happens,” Saleem explained. Hence the Ramadan Project, which Saleem co-curates. The Ramadan Project aims to humanize Ramadan and help people understand the festival and the unique tests Muslims go through during this month.
"Ramadan to me is a time to reflect and become closer to God. It's an opportunity to retell the narratives of my realities in a spiritually charged setting, reinforcing and strengthening my goals and purpose. Basically, like a spiritual bootcamp," consultant Abdul-Halik Azeez said.
Photographer Aamina Nizar said “this month signifies making peace with myself and others, seeking knowledge, spending time with family and building my spirit. The time we spend in contemplation and prayer are a reminder that there is more to life than just food, work, money and fame.
The month of Ramadan is about harnessing willpower and cultivating patience, said Dr Mareena Thaha Reffai, the founder President of Al Muslimaat, a women’s education initiative founded in 1990. “It is, in essence, like a one month workshop on how to be a good Muslim. During this month, you try to recognize and stay away from every possible sin. In addition, you practice tawbah (seeking forgiveness). We do these things to increase piety. During these times, we believe that it’s easier to do good, and the reward in doing good deeds is multiplied.” Dr Reffai said.
Muslims also often use this time to practice zakat (a form of almsgiving and religious tax) donating their extra savings to the less fortunate, to ensure that they too will be able to practise their faith. The month of Ramadan also helps build a feeling of unity among the Muslim community.
Medical pre intern Hasna Nivas said Ramadan is a special time as every single prayer is multiplied to seventy folds of its rewards, particularly during Laylatul qadr (the Night of Decree) which marks the date the Quran was revealed. “This lunar month is not just about fasting long hours and gluttoning ourselves at the end of the day. And it's definitely not just about the Eid days of celebration that follow… it’s about how we can actually [empathise] with a poor hungry kid or starving animal. How every day opens to an arena of opportunities to not only get close to Allah but to do much more that we might be oblivious on a regular day.”
To Mohamed Hisham, director of the Halal accreditation council and steering committee member of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, Ramadan is not just about fasting or even self reflection and improvement, but also about cementing the long-standing bond between Muslims and non Muslims, “from sharing the short eats and Kanji (porridge) during the time of breaking the fast to sharing of Biriyani and Watalappan at the end of the month of Ramadan.” This goes both ways, Hisham notes, as non Muslims often extend goodwill to the Muslim community during fasting, whether at workplaces, universities, or public institutions.
This spirit of camaraderie is particularly important this year, in the aftermath of floods and landslides across the country. “We have seen there were numerous examples of Muslim communities working together with fellow Buddhist, Hindu and Christian citizens in helping each other specially in the aftermath of the floods and landslides,” Hisham said. This extended even to members of the clergy, who came together to call for unity in flood relief efforts:
The sighting of the new moon was marked on social media – with everyone from world leaders to cartoon characters wishing Muslims for Ramadan:
Although Sri Lanka has grappled with division along lines of ethnicity and religion, in challenging times citizens do come together to help each other, casting aside their differences. This spirit of unity and togetherness is something that should be celebrated – at any time of year.
Groundviews wishes its readers observing Ramadan a peaceful and enlightening month.
