Ramadan – By Omar Issadeen
Image Source : Omer Suttar Linkedin
Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – April 2024
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Muslims around the world are currently observing Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. This year, Ramadan is between 11th March and 10th April. Fasting during the month of Ramadan comprises one of the five pillars of Islam, along with ‘Shahada’ – one’s belief in a single God and his Prophet Muhamad (may peace be on him), ‘Salah’ or prayer, ‘Zakat’ or charity, and ‘Hajj’ – pilgrimage to Makkah. By fasting, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking (even water) during the day to refocus their attention on the remembrance and worship of God. Muslims fast primarily as an act of obedience to God, as instructed in the Holy Quran and beyond perceptions that fasting provides health benefits or to experience the pangs of hunger, which may indeed be secondary benefits. For Muslims in Australia, Ramadan in 2024 typically includes sharing of meals at the start and end of the fast known as ‘suhoor’ and
‘iftar’, respectively, communal night prayers at the local Mosque, charity and will culminate with the Eid-ul Fitr celebration 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.
Omar Issadeen
Omar is a civil engineer at AECOM and assistant Imam at the
Kuraby Mosque in Brisbane.
