Ramadan – By Fahim Sultanbawa
Source : Queensland Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – April 2023
Around the world, almost two billion Muslims are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. This means Muslims will be waking up before dawn to eat and drink in order to fast during the day. After
sunset, families end their fast with the evening meal called ‘iftar’ before attending night prayers.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan comprises one of the five central tenets or ‘pillars’ of Islam, along with ‘Shahada’ – one’s intention to practise Islam, ‘Salah’ or prayer, ‘Zakat’ or charity, and ‘Hajj’ – pilgrimage. By fasting, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking (even water) to refocus their attention on the remembrance and worship of God. Beyond perceptions that, for example, fasting provides health benefits or allows Muslims to experience the pangs of hunger, which may indeed be secondary benefits, Muslims fast, primarily, as an act of obedience to God, as instructed in the holy Quran.
Since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, the holy month of Ramadan changes each year; this year’s Ramadan began approximately 10 – 12 days earlier than last year’s. Muslims around the world are then able to experience fasting in different seasons over many years.
Like all good things, the month of Ramadan too must come to an end and culminates in the festival of ‘Eid-al-Fitr’ which symbolises the reward for completing the month of fasting. On this day, Muslims don
their best attire and participate in the communal morning prayer. Thereafter, they spend time visiting friends and family while sharing special foods.
Fahim Sultanbawa
Fahim is an Investment Banking Analyst and a graduate from the University of Queensland’s Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics program
