Muslims observe Ramadan

Published 1:48 am Friday, August 20, 2010

SELMA — On Aug. 11, the month of Ramadan officially began in the Islamic community.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a month of fasting in which participating Muslims do not eat, drink or have sex from sunrise to sunset.

Muslims begin observing the month through fasting from the time they reach puberty and continue to observe the month until old age.

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“It is the ninth month of the new moon,” said Rep. Yusuf Salaam, a practicing Muslim. “That’s key because, as you know, man delivers at the end of nine months. So Ramadan really gives us a born again scenario in terms of the concept with Christianity with a born again.”

Salaam said the month is used to refocus.

“Here is an example,” said Salaam. “After you run a car for so long, after a period of time you have a need for a tune-up. Ramadan acts like a tune-up.”

Before the sun comes up, Muslims give a prayer known as the Fajr before eating the meal known as the Sahoor.

When the sun goes down, the fast is broken with a meal known as the Iftar.

“We begin by drinking water and eating something sweet,” said Salaam. “You must do that because during the fast, the blood sugar gets low. The traditional food is three dates, but any fruit will do. While our body adjusts to the shock of having food again, we have a time of prayer before having a larger meal.”

Salaam said observing Ramadan in an area that does not have as many Muslims made for a different experience during the Iftar.

“In Muslim countries where you have a large gathering, there are more family and friends,” said Salaam. “Here in America, where you have small pockets, we tend to do our nuclear family. On the weekends we have a group Iftar.”

Salaam said it was more difficult to focus during the month do to the lack of Muslims in the community.

“When you see 1,000 people performing the same ritual that you are performing naturally you are going to feel more supported than with 30 or 35 people,” said Salaam. “We all go through the same set of prescribed rituals daily. We do the same ones in Selma that they do in Mecca, but there are just not as many people participating.”