Ono Academic College wishes “ رمضان كريم /Ramadan Karim/A Blessed (Generous) Ramadan” to all who celebrate.
The holiday of Ramadan, which began last week, is celebrated by close to 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. The date of the start of the fast depends on the appearance of the moon, and there may be changes of the starting day, forward or backward, depending upon when the moon is sighted.
What is Ramadan?
The commandment to observe the month of Ramadan is one of the five basic commandments in Islam. According to Islamic Law, the commandment of fasting this month, applies to every man, woman and child from the age of 10. The fast lasts about 14 consecutive hours. It includes other prohibitions in addition to avoiding food and drink including prohibitions on smoking, sex and even taking some medication.
Unlike the Yom Kippur fast which is considered a day of rest, Muslims who fast during the month of Ramadan lead a completely normal lifestyle.
There are exceptions to the rule of Fasting during Ramadan and certain people are exempted, for example, the elderly, chronically ill, in case a person is required to travel long distances and more. However, these people will have to make certain charitable donations to redeem the fast.
Along with the commandments of fasting, the month of Ramadan symbolizes holiness and brotherhood, the essence of which is soul-searching. Doing an act of kindness, helping and empathizing with the suffering of others, partnership and brotherhood, modesty and restraint, moving away from profanity and gossip – these are all praiseworthy activities for the month of Ramadan, that began this week.
Waste during Ramadan is strictly forbidden, and instead of wasting it is better to distribute things and packages of food and clothes to poor families, especially in these difficult days of the Corona epidemic and rising food prices.
In the month of Ramadan it is customary to decorate houses with flashing lighting and decorations in striking colors in the shapes of the moon.
Customary Greetings:
The usual greeting in the month of Ramadan is :
رمضان كريم Ramadan Karim (Blessed/Generous Ramadan)
Due to the sanctity of the month, it is not customary to say “Happy holiday.”
The end of the month of Ramadan is actually a holiday as well, called Eid al-Fitr. The customary greeting is ” كُلّ عَام وَأَنْتَ بِخَيْر / Kul Am Uintum bkheyr” whose literal meaning is “In every year, you will be well.” The symbolic meaning of this blessing is for the end of one period and the beginning of a new period in which conflicts and disputes will all cease.
(Amir Assi, Arab Society Program, Ono Academic College)
